CarCostCheck

HYUNDAI ELANTRA (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 53 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1991cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Diesel1991cc22 years old53 tests103k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1991cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1991cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,057
Per month£171/mo
Per week£40/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the HYUNDAI brand average of 83%.

At 22 years old, 66% of HYUNDAI ELANTRAs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 53 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 102,607 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars434th of 491(top 88%)
Rank among HYUNDAI models396th of 417(top 95%)
vs national average-16%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average-6%(72% avg)
vs HYUNDAI average-17%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

102,607

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 102,607 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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HYUNDAI ELANTRA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200563%64100,198 mi
200466%53102,607 mi
200378%4673,357 mi
200247%5595,887 mi
200163%6793,713 mi

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About the 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

The 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA is a family car with a 1991cc diesel engine. 53 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 88% of 2004 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 102,607 miles at 22 years old, HYUNDAI ELANTRA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA Fuel Costs

The 1991cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

HYUNDAI ELANTRA Reliability Trend

Newer HYUNDAI ELANTRAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

At 22 years old, the HYUNDAI ELANTRA 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. Note: with only 53 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 103k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% 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 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
HYUNDAI ELANTRA(2004)66%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2006)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2005)69%£905£135Grp 12-25£1795-£262
HONDA CIVIC(2006)71%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£7
AUDI A3(2006)73%£905£135Grp 12-25£1595-£462

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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