Used car guide

2005 Hyundai Coupe: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Hyundai Coupe first registered in 2005: we looked at the 1,729 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,729MOTs of 2005 cars, done in 2023–2025
52%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
4,800typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for exhaust system

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Hyundai Coupe?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Hyundai Coupe than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Exhaust system2.1× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    19.8% All 2005 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Sub-frame2.4× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    13.2% All 2005 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    13% All 2005 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.3× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    9.7% All 2005 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2.1% here, against 6.7% of all 2005 cars. Flexible brake hoses: 2.1% here, against 5.6% of all 2005 cars.

Common 2005 Hyundai Coupe MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Hyundai Coupe MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    47% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    44% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    40% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Hyundai Coupe

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2005 Hyundai Coupe as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2005 Hyundai Coupe as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2005 Hyundai Coupe as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai Coupe?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Hyundai Coupe compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20093,276Brakes 50%
20083,143Brakes 50%
20074,233Brakes 52%
20062,786Brakes 50%
20041,076Brakes 55%
2003661Brakes 53%
2002343Brakes 56%
2001320Brakes 44%
2000212Brakes 47%
1999122Brakes 39%
1998134Brakes 46%
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Hyundai Coupe cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score