Hyundai Amica MOT Failures
An analysis of 100,077 real DVSA MOT tests on the Hyundai Amica — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: MkI (2000–2008).
Where the Hyundai Amica fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Hyundai Amica is abs fault — this model is 133 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 100,077 MOT tests, 0.53% of all Hyundai Amica tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include headlight fault (67x the fleet average), braking effort inadequate at a wheel (47x the fleet average), suspension component damaged or corroded (28x the fleet average), and track rod ends worn (98x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Hyundai Amica's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Steering, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Hyundai Amica before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Hyundai Amica's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Hyundai Amica specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (133x the average) and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (58x). body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (53x) and stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/... (51x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Hyundai Amica specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are body panel damage (50x the average) and braking effort inadequate at a wheel (39x). track rod ends worn (37x) and fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (36x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Hyundai Amica specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are track rod ends worn (98x the average) and braking effort inadequate at a wheel (47x). headlight fault (17x) and brakes imbalance across an axle (17x) also appear frequently.
The shift from abs fault at lower mileages to track rod ends worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Hyundai Amica specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Door mechanism failure - will not open or close properly Major
The door handles, lock mechanisms, and door check straps on the Amica suffer from premature wear and corrosion. Affects MkI; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.
CV joint boot deterioration and joint failure Major
The constant velocity (CV) joint rubber boots on the Amica deteriorate rapidly, allowing water and debris to contaminate the joint internals. Affects MkI; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£200.
Wheel bearing excessive play and failure Major
Front wheel bearings on the Amica develop excessive play earlier than typical for the vehicle class. Affects MkI; typical independent garage repair cost is £100–£160.
Suspension component corrosion and damage Major
Suspension arms, links, and mounting points on the Amica suffer from accelerated corrosion due to inadequate protective coating from the factory. Affects MkI; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Hyundai Amica common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Hyundai Amica
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Hyundai Amica:
Brakes — check for abs fault, braking effort inadequate at a wheel. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault. Suspension — check for suspension component damaged or corroded, wheel bearings worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about door mechanism failure - will not open or close properly and cv joint boot deterioration and joint failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £80. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Hyundai Amica?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Hyundai Amica MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Hyundai Amica?
Based on 100,077 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 133x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include headlight fault and braking effort inadequate at a wheel.
Is the Hyundai Amica reliable based on MOT data?
The Hyundai Amica has 20 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag door mechanism failure - will not open or close properly as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Hyundai Amica most commonly fails on track rod ends worn and braking effort inadequate at a wheel. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are abs fault and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot....
How do I check a Hyundai Amica's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.