Hyundai Sonata Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Hyundai Sonata car check
Is the Hyundai Sonata reliable? We analysed 74,210 real MOT tests across 8,096 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Hyundai Sonata? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Hyundai Sonata is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Hyundai Sonata.
Hyundai Sonata Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Hyundai Sonata. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Hyundai Sonata MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Hyundai Sonata to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Hyundai Sonata Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Hyundai Sonata fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Hyundai Sonata Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Hyundai Sonata owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Hyundai Sonata MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Hyundai Sonata year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 74 | 77.0% | 48,104 | 73,462 | 96,986 |
| 2013 | 65 | 70.8% | 38,530 | 64,145 | 117,801 |
| 2012 | 70 | 72.9% | 45,431 | 79,714 | 107,850 |
| 2011 | 105 | 75.2% | 48,508 | 78,402 | 114,318 |
| 2010 | 650 | 76.9% | 41,220 | 66,743 | 92,623 |
| 2009 | 1,470 | 75.2% | 31,804 | 52,673 | 84,771 |
| 2008 | 1,988 | 73.4% | 39,256 | 62,994 | 92,228 |
| 2007 | 5,212 | 75.3% | 39,438 | 64,555 | 94,806 |
| 2006 | 7,496 | 75.1% | 38,272 | 62,586 | 89,890 |
| 2005 | 7,324 | 75.9% | 34,134 | 53,685 | 76,622 |
| 2004 | 6,235 | 76.1% | 37,514 | 58,391 | 83,007 |
| 2003 | 7,817 | 74.7% | 37,902 | 57,299 | 81,789 |
| 2002 | 5,480 | 73.2% | 42,252 | 62,271 | 85,406 |
| 2001 | 3,922 | 73.5% | 45,273 | 62,161 | 82,172 |
| 2000 | 5,005 | 69.5% | 51,082 | 68,204 | 88,462 |
| 1999 | 7,375 | 68.2% | 56,246 | 73,444 | 93,260 |
| 1998 | 5,123 | 66.9% | 59,373 | 75,259 | 94,155 |
| 1997 | 3,660 | 66.6% | 61,987 | 80,820 | 101,673 |
| 1996 | 2,047 | 66.7% | 64,841 | 81,999 | 102,908 |
| 1995 | 1,336 | 65.4% | 69,724 | 87,671 | 108,933 |
How Long Does a Hyundai Sonata Last?
Based on 8,096 Hyundai Sonata vehicles on UK roads.
Hyundai Sonata Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Hyundai Sonata MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Hyundai Sonata
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.0% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
64.9% MOT pass rate from 1,247 tests
The best year to buy a used Hyundai Sonata is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.0% across 74 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Hyundai Sonata Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Sonata THIS CAR | 72.3% | 74,210 | 66,333 mi | 32 yrs |
| Hyundai I10 | 80.4% | 2,829,935 | 35,978 mi | 18 yrs |
| Hyundai I20 | 80.2% | 1,488,641 | 45,118 mi | 17 yrs |
| Hyundai I30 | 76.5% | 1,479,391 | 57,858 mi | 19 yrs |
| Daewoo Nubira | 64.4% | 130,499 | 61,516 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Hyundai I10 (80.4% pass rate) and the Hyundai I20 (80.2% pass rate), the Hyundai Sonata trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Hyundai Sonata you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Hyundai SonataShould you buy a used Hyundai Sonata?
The Hyundai Sonata has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.3% across 74,210 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Hyundai Sonata are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (3,638 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (3,084), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (2,092). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Hyundai Sonata owner drives around 5,308 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Hyundai Sonata models stay on UK roads for around 32 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.