Used Hyundai Atoz Hatchback 1998 - 2001 reliability review

Name: Used Hyundai Atoz Hatchback 1998 - 2001
Rating: 2
Author: Stuart Milne

It's cheap, but spend what you've saved on a better car

How we test cars

What should I look for in a used Hyundai Atoz?

Look at our regular reliability surveys, and you'll notice that Japanese manufacturers always top the table. However, for the past few years, Hyundai has been the best of the rest. Not only do Hyundais rarely go wrong, but when they do, it's always a quick and cheap process to fix them.

That said, the Atoz isn't one of the Korean firm's better performers, so you can't rely on it the same way as you can other Hyundai products. Head gaskets can blow, which will be a comparatively expensive fix. Water pumps can also fail, although this won't be anywhere near as costly.

If the car begins to misfire, check the ignition coils, because faults on these have caused such problems in the past.

Get any oil leaks attended to immediately. If the leak is coming from the transmission, then prompt action can save you from a very expensive repair.

Tips & Advice

Check for outstanding recalls

Many cars are recalled so that faults can be put right. Recall work shouldn’t cost you a penny, and they’ll make your car safer or more mechanically robust. Checking if your car has been recalled is easy

Choose the right breakdown cover

You may already have a breakdown policy through your home insurance or new-car warranty so check to avoid paying twice

Make sure you have warranty cover

New cars usually have warranties that last between three and seven years that can help cover the cost of mechanical faults. But this protection can last longer with an extended warranty

About the writer

Name: Stuart Milne

Title: Digital editor

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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.