Family hatchback · 1996–2018 cars
Hyundai Coupe reliability
The Hyundai Coupe fails 48% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 24,303 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Hyundai Coupe before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 48%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 18% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 24,303
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Hyundai Coupe ages
Each point is the share of Hyundai Coupes of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Hyundai Coupe | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 43.3% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 46.8% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 46.7% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 47.7% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 49.9% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 47.2% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 49.3% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 47.4% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 53% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 50.1% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 52% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 42.7% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 49.1% | 37.1% |
By year
The best and worst Hyundai Coupe years
2005 cars come out best and 2004 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Coupe | 4,077 | 45.9% | 19% more fails | 83,429 |
| 2008 Coupe | 3,965 | 47% | 16% more fails | 87,336 |
| 2007 Coupe | 5,684 | 49.3% | 18% more fails | 90,997 |
| 2006 Coupe | 3,850 | 47.5% | 15% more fails | 87,049 |
| 2005 Coupe | 2,497 | 48.1% | 14% more fails | 91,461 |
| 2004 Coupe | 1,542 | 49.7% | 20% more fails | 84,187 |
| 2003 | 969 | 52.7% | 28% more fails | 84,540 |
| 2002 | 516 | 48.4% | 22% more fails | 84,318 |
| 2001 | 443 | 49.2% | 29% more fails | 78,192 |
| 2000 | 307 | 53.1% | 48% more fails | 69,190 |
| 1998 | 228 | 43.9% | 31% more fails | 70,237 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Hyundai Coupe
Its weak spot is brakes: 140% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes26.5%140% above avg
- Lights and electrics19.4%2% above avg
- Suspension13.3%14% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.1%68% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure9.9%38% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8%17% above avg
- Tyres7.2%7% above avg
- Steering6.7%110% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.5%28% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 10.57% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Position lamp not working 5.69% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Exhaust has major gas leak 5.14% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 4
Lambda reading outside specified limits 3.65% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.24% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 3.22% of tests
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
- 7
Parking brake efficiency under half required 3.16% of tests
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
- 8
Parking brake inoperative on one side 3.15% of tests
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Hyundai Coupe's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.73%
- Brake disc pitted or scored13.17%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy13.1%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak9.78%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.28%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion7.96%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Hyundai Coupe
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
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.
- 3
Exhaust has major gas leak
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 4
Lambda reading outside specified limits
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 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 typical Hyundai Coupe covers about 6,500 miles a year. A big gap or 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%
- LPG0.1%
Most common colours
Silver, Grey, Black, Blue, Red
Average engine size: 2.0 litres.
Compare
How the Hyundai Coupe compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi S3 | 17.5% | 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Honda Insight | 29.1% | 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Bora | 41.4% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Toledo | 30% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Coupe | 48% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 39.2% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Bravo | 48.7% | 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Hyundai models.
Questions
Hyundai Coupe questions, answered
Is the Hyundai Coupe reliable?
On MOT results, the Hyundai Coupe is below average: it fails 48% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 48 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Hyundai Coupe MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Hyundai Coupe are parking brake efficiency below minimum (10.57% of tests), position lamp not working (5.69% of tests), exhaust has major gas leak (5.14% of tests). By area, brakes fails 26.5% of its tests.
Which Hyundai Coupe year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2005 cars do best (14% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2004 cars do worst (20% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Hyundai Coupe do a year?
A typical Hyundai Coupe covers about 6,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Hyundai Coupe 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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