Hyundai Elantra
From 380 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 35 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 35 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 24 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 21 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 15 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 11 |
| parking brake inoperative on one side | 11 |
| warning device shows system malfunction | 11 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 10 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 10 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 9 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 35.7% of Elantra failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 25.5% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £158.
Hyundai Elantra on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 46 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 46. At this rate, roughly 6.3 years until none remain. Now at 5.4% of its peak (5,535 in 2006 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 82 | 219 | +0 | -5 | -5 |
| 2025 Q2 | 85 | 221 | +0 | -12 | -12 |
| 2025 Q1 | 96 | 222 | +0 | -15 | -15 |
| 2024 Q4 | 107 | 226 | +0 | -14 | -14 |
| 2024 Q3 | 114 | 233 | +0 | -18 | -18 |
| 2024 Q2 | 130 | 235 | +0 | -18 | -18 |
| 2024 Q1 | 143 | 240 | +0 | -15 | -15 |
| 2023 Q4 | 163 | 235 | +0 | -11 | -11 |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
Typical mileage
Half of all Elantras tested had between 63,412 and 110,012 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 92,200 median miles, the Elantra has 0.045 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Hyundai models
| Hyundai I10 | 77.5% |
| Hyundai I20 | 76.7% |
| Hyundai I30 | 72.6% |
| Hyundai Tucson | 84.5% |
| Hyundai Ix35 | 73.4% |
Common questions
What is the Hyundai Elantra MOT pass rate?
The Hyundai Elantra has a 58.2% MOT pass rate based on 380 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Hyundai Elantra?
The most common MOT failure on the Hyundai Elantra is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 35 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
How many Hyundai Elantras are on UK roads?
There are 82 Hyundai Elantras currently licensed on UK roads, with 219 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Hyundai Elantra at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Hyundai Elantra is 92,200 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 63,412 and 110,012 miles.
Buying a used Elantra?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 58.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £158 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 35.7% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.