Hyundai Stellar Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Hyundai Stellar car check
Is the Hyundai Stellar reliable? We analysed 637 real MOT tests across 137 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Hyundai Stellar? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Hyundai Stellar is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Hyundai Stellar.
Hyundai Stellar Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Hyundai Stellar. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Hyundai Stellar MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Hyundai Stellar to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Hyundai Stellar Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Hyundai Stellar fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Hyundai Stellar Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Hyundai Stellar owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Hyundai Stellar MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Hyundai Stellar year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 124 | 65.3% | 42,905 | 61,392 | 99,758 |
| 1990 | 53 | 64.2% | 45,035 | 65,647 | 78,478 |
| 1988 | 176 | 67.6% | 40,770 | 77,843 | 96,397 |
| 1987 | 100 | 71.0% | 56,364 | 65,941 | 85,251 |
| 1986 | 72 | 79.2% | 68,844 | 92,388 | 98,978 |
How Long Does a Hyundai Stellar Last?
Based on 137 Hyundai Stellar vehicles on UK roads.
Hyundai Stellar Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Hyundai Stellar 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 Stellar
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.2% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
64.2% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
The best year to buy a used Hyundai Stellar is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.2% across 72 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Hyundai Stellar Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Stellar THIS CAR | 69.1% | 637 | 70,484 mi | 40 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 |
| Suzuki GSX550 | 79.9% | 1,167 | 34,378 mi | 43 yrs |
Compared to the Hyundai I10 (80.4% pass rate) and the Hyundai I20 (80.2% pass rate), the Hyundai Stellar trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Hyundai Stellar 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 StellarShould you buy a used Hyundai Stellar?
The Hyundai Stellar has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.1% across 637 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Hyundai Stellar are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (60 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (56), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (25). 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 Stellar owner drives around 1,429 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 Stellar models stay on UK roads for around 40 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.