City car · 2000–2008 cars
Hyundai Amica reliability
The Hyundai Amica fails 43% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 21,765 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Hyundai Amica before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 43%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 23% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 21,765
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Hyundai Amica ages
Each point is the share of Hyundai Amicas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Hyundai Amica | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | 31.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 39.7% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 39.9% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 42.6% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 43.5% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 49.5% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 42.6% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 45.6% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 48.8% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 49.2% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 50.9% | 38.9% |
By year
The best and worst Hyundai Amica years
2008 cars come out best and 2000 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Amica | 3,264 | 39.9% | 15% more fails | 58,165 |
| 2007 Amica | 7,698 | 41.1% | 19% more fails | 55,084 |
| 2006 Amica | 6,813 | 43.5% | 23% more fails | 58,273 |
| 2002 Amica | 1,500 | 45.3% | 26% more fails | 56,529 |
| 2001 Amica | 1,297 | 46.2% | 33% more fails | 54,068 |
| 2000 Amica | 1,119 | 53.5% | 52% more fails | 64,034 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Hyundai Amica
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 93% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.2%26% above avg
- Brakes11.9%33% above avg
- Suspension11.5%4% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure9.4%64% above avg
- Tyres9.4%72% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.6%93% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.6%36% above avg
- Steering1.8%20% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.5%10% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 5.39% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 5.25% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.51% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.8% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.42% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 6
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.17% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.43% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.37% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Hyundai Amica's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.26%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy14.7%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.42%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak7.2%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive6.65%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.62%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Hyundai Amica
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol99.9%
- Diesel0.1%
Most common colours
Red, Silver, Blue, Black, Yellow
Average engine size: 1.1 litres.
Compare
How the Hyundai Amica compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Abarth 500 | 29.9% | about average for its age |
| Smart Fortwo Cabriolet | 33.5% | about average for its age |
| Volkswagen Lupo | 39.8% | about average for its age |
| Daihatsu Sirion | 37.8% | about average for its age |
| Smart City Coupe | 41.1% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Amica | 43% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chrysler Ypsilon | 36.3% | 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Hyundai models.
Questions
Hyundai Amica questions, answered
Is the Hyundai Amica reliable?
On MOT results, the Hyundai Amica is below average: it fails 43% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 31 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Hyundai Amica MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Hyundai Amica are position lamp not working (5.39% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.25% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.51% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 19.2% of its tests.
Which Hyundai Amica year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2008 cars do best (15% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2000 cars do worst (52% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a Hyundai Amica before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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