For a car that's only about ten years old I suppose you should expect a few things going wrong here and there, but it feels just a little bit ahead of how you'd expect it to be ageing by now. There's some fairly significant rusting underneath now and quite a few bubbles appearing round the bodywork. I'd say it spends about half the nights in a garage. I suppose we live fairly close to the sea so that won't help but still, just seems to be ageing a bit too quickly. It might just be our one, but if you're buying one then keep an eye out and definitely check underneath.
Other little problems here and there. Engine management light keeps coming on which seems odd. We've been assured that it's all ok so it's just a bug or something. Other than that it's been reliable really. It's fine otherwise really, just these few things that have bugged us. Oh and reverse is a bit of a pig to find sometimes.
It's a decent enough car to drive, we were very chuffed when we first got it as it was a lot smoother and less grouchy than our Astra had become. The biggest smile comes from filling it up, which you won't be doing much. Actually I reckon some modern cars might be doing better these days, but we average almost 50mpg on long drives - maybe a little bit less these days. The Hyundai Accent is happy cruising at 80 plus but is a bit noisy when you get up to speed, especially in the wind. That can make it difficult to have a conversation. It's generally very happy in most conditions, although my teenage son is learning to drive in it and he's becoming a bit of a boy racer - and it can be a bit topply when he rips it round the corners. Goodness knows how he'll drive once he's passed...
It's a pretty good size inside. My eldest is enormously tall and he fits in fine. Well, in the front, he finds it a bit cramped in the back but then whoever is in the front usually has the seats back a bit anyway. Nice big glovebox for bits and pieces. We like the way the steering wheel can be moved up and down, especially now that there's such a size difference between the drivers! The boot is nice and big too, quite long and plenty deep. I get my dad's wheelchair folded up in their easily enough. It's got a handy little light in there too for when it's dark. I know that's just a small thing but a lot of cars don't have that, or just a light in the roof, whereas the one right in the boot is really handy.
I'm somebody with an eye for a bargain and value is always on my mind. That's not to say, though, that I like tacky stuff. This car is not tacky, but it's not exactly top quality either. I've had a few problems with it. Weighing up these problems against the price I paid for it my verdict on the Hyundai accent is: average.
The engine is prone to overheating: there have been problems with some cooling fans which cause this and it has happened to mine. The bodywork is a little bit tacky and I have given mine some pretty significant dents after doing very little to deserve it. And I also had a problem with the electrics at one point.
Overall these are only minor problems in the long term, and the good value makes the Hyundai Accent a worthy investment. To be fair, the performance is fine and the handling is agreeable. The interiors are kitsch but roomy enough. Not bad, but not great.