Hyundai Santa FE: what fails at MOT
51,000 MOT tests on the Hyundai Santa FE in 2024, counted. 29.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
29.8% of Hyundai Santa FE tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.9%, so the Santa FE is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (8.8% of tests), suspension (6.9% of tests) and brakes (6% of tests). It fails on body and structure and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,761 | 8.8% | 10.9% | 27,700 20,400 to 35,600 |
| 2020 | 1,175 | 9.0% | 11.5% | 33,300 26,000 to 43,100 |
| 2019 | 2,012 | 13.4% | 13.4% | 39,800 31,400 to 53,000 |
| 2018 | 3,124 | 13.6% | 15.6% | 49,100 38,400 to 61,600 |
| 2017 | 4,001 | 16.0% | 18.2% | 58,500 46,000 to 72,500 |
| 2016 | 6,702 | 18.4% | 21.3% | 64,300 51,400 to 80,000 |
| 2015 | 4,782 | 21.0% | 24.4% | 72,500 56,500 to 90,800 |
| 2014 | 3,855 | 29.8% | 27.7% | 84,600 68,200 to 103,800 |
| 2013 | 2,200 | 34.1% | 30.6% | 92,100 74,000 to 110,000 |
| 2012 | 4,518 | 41.6% | 33.4% | 100,900 82,300 to 121,400 |
| 2011 | 4,753 | 45.0% | 36.1% | 111,600 90,400 to 134,300 |
| 2010 | 4,513 | 44.9% | 38.6% | 116,100 94,800 to 139,000 |
| 2009 | 956 | 40.2% | 39.8% | 110,500 93,300 to 135,900 |
| 2008 | 1,054 | 44.2% | 41.5% | 120,600 104,200 to 139,700 |
| 2007 | 1,753 | 44.7% | 41.5% | 124,400 101,100 to 152,200 |
| 2006 | 1,657 | 48.9% | 42.4% | 115,300 94,700 to 139,000 |
| 2005 | 992 | 49.5% | 42.2% | 120,800 96,400 to 145,200 |
| 2004 | 771 | 45.4% | 42.3% | 116,300 93,700 to 142,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Hyundai Santa FE tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Santa FE | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 8.8% | 7.7% | |
| Suspension | 6.9% | 6.4% | |
| Brakes | 6.0% | 4.6% | |
| Tyres | 4.0% | 4.4% | |
| Body and structure | 3.1% | 2.3% | More than most |
| Steering | 2.7% | 1.4% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.6% | 3.1% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.0% | 2.1% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Side light3.1%
- Ball joint3.0%
- Tyre2.6%
- Brake pads2.3%
- Driveshaft joint2.3%
- Track rod end2.1%
- Brake light2.0%
- Tyre tread1.8%
- Headlamp aim1.6%
- Headlamp1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working3.0%
- Ball joint: excessively worn2.8%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.2%
- Brake light: not working1.9%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.8%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.2%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.6%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material4.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.6%
- Coil spring: corroded3.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.3%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Hyundai Santa FE's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.