Hyundai Tucson: what fails at MOT
195,000 MOT tests on the Hyundai Tucson in 2024, counted. 16.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
16% of Hyundai Tucson tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 16%, so the Tucson is about average for its age.
It fails most often on brakes (3.9% of tests), tyres (3% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (2.8% of tests). It fails on brakes and wipers, washers and windscreen 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 | 36,026 | 10.7% | 10.9% | 24,000 17,500 to 31,600 |
| 2020 | 20,979 | 14.2% | 11.5% | 29,400 21,400 to 39,000 |
| 2019 | 37,756 | 13.9% | 13.4% | 36,100 27,500 to 46,100 |
| 2018 | 33,722 | 14.8% | 15.6% | 44,500 34,700 to 56,200 |
| 2017 | 30,276 | 18.3% | 18.2% | 55,000 43,000 to 68,800 |
| 2016 | 25,250 | 19.1% | 21.3% | 64,000 50,600 to 79,300 |
| 2015 | 5,920 | 23.7% | 24.4% | 71,200 57,500 to 86,000 |
| 2009 | 667 | 42.7% | 39.8% | 101,300 80,900 to 122,100 |
| 2008 | 650 | 41.4% | 41.5% | 104,700 79,100 to 124,500 |
| 2007 | 1,059 | 46.5% | 41.5% | 112,200 89,300 to 132,300 |
| 2006 | 1,334 | 51.5% | 42.4% | 110,800 90,300 to 132,900 |
| 2005 | 1,160 | 48.6% | 42.2% | 107,500 87,600 to 128,600 |
| 2004 | 301 | 46.8% | 42.3% | 109,800 90,000 to 127,400 |
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 Tucson tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Tucson | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes More than most | 3.9% | 2.1% |
| Tyres | 3.0% | 3.5% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 2.8% | 2.1% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 1.9% | 3.0% |
| Suspension Less than most | 1.1% | 1.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| Steering | 0.5% | 0.4% |
| Body and structure | 0.4% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake pads2.1%
- Wipers2.0%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Tyre1.4%
- Headlamp aim0.9%
- Washers0.8%
- Brake test0.8%
- Track rod end0.5%
- Lever0.5%
- Engine warning light0.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements0.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.4%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.4%
- Lever: has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment0.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.4%
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 edge10.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.6%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.7%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.7%
- Nail in tyre1.5%
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
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Hyundai Tucson's own MOT record
Looking at a Tucson? Type its registration to 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.