Hyundai Accent (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 132 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,383

£199/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1341cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2,383/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol1341cc29 years old132 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1341cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,383

Per month£199/mo

Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Hyundai brand average of 83%.

65% of MOT tests on Hyundai Accents from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 132 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 73,797 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models282nd of 306(bottom 9%)

Rank among Hyundai models400th of 414(bottom 4%)

vs average of all models-17%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average-10%(75% avg)

vs Hyundai average-18%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

73,797

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Hyundai Accent had 73,797 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2007 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 74%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 64%. The 1997 scores 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Hyundai Accent by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2009	77%	31	52,527 mi
2008	71%	207	83,267 mi
2007	74%	387	88,089 mi
2006	69%	379	86,132 mi
2005	67%	495	75,803 mi
2004	65%	333	78,676 mi
2003	69%	244	74,373 mi
2002	70%	433	73,052 mi
2001	64%	257	70,797 mi
2000	65%	187	71,449 mi
1999	66%	180	69,485 mi
1998	67%	158	76,667 mi
1997	65%	132	73,797 mi
1996	66%	58	70,183 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+8%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

+6%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+24%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+5%

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About the 1997 Hyundai Accent

The 1997 Hyundai Accent is a small family car. Our records list a 1341cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 132 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 9% of 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 73,797 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Hyundai Accent owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1997 Hyundai Accent Fuel Costs

The 1341cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 Hyundai Accent?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,383 (£199/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Hyundai Accent Reliability Trend

The Hyundai Accent has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 Hyundai Accent

At 29 years old, the Hyundai Accent is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2007 model has the highest pass rate at 74%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 Hyundai Accent stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Hyundai Accent(1997)	65%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£55
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£178
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£573
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1997 Hyundai Accent

Is the 1997 Hyundai Accent reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 65% of MOT tests on 1997 Hyundai Accents ended in a pass, from 132 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Hyundai Accent cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,383 a year (£199 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Hyundai Accent?

65% of 132 MOT tests on the 1997 Hyundai Accent ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 282nd of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom 9%).

Which year Hyundai Accent has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2007 Hyundai Accent has the highest MOT pass rate at 74% and the 2001 the lowest at 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Hyundai Accent?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Hyundai Accent is 73,797 miles, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.