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HYUNDAI SONATA (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 58 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1997cc22 years old58 tests84k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1997cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/mo
Per week£39/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

83% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 22 years old, 83% of HYUNDAI SONATAs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 58 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 83,612 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars94th of 491(top 19%)
Rank among HYUNDAI models241th of 417(top 58%)
vs national average+1%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average+11%(72% avg)
vs HYUNDAI average+0%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,612

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA has 83,612 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 SONATA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201089%44105,703 mi
200969%9882,721 mi
200867%101107,212 mi
200775%174100,433 mi
200673%19595,075 mi
200569%18888,254 mi
200483%5883,612 mi
200382%3875,884 mi

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About the 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA

The 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA is a family car with a 1997cc petrol engine. 58 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 19% of all 2004 cars for reliability.

With an average of 83,612 miles at 22 years old, HYUNDAI SONATA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 HYUNDAI SONATA Fuel Costs

The 1997cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

HYUNDAI SONATA Reliability Trend

Older HYUNDAI SONATAs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 5 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA

At 22 years old, the HYUNDAI SONATA 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 58 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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

Medium risk

With an average of 84k 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.

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 SONATA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
HYUNDAI SONATA(2004)83%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
FORD FOCUS(2006)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
BMW 3 SERIES(2006)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£180
RENAULT CLIO(2006)68%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217+£170

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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Explore other Hyundai cars or similar models in the same category.

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