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Family SUV · 2001–2021 cars

Hyundai Santa Fe reliability

The Hyundai Santa Fe fails 32.5% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 119,162 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 46/100#45 of 59 family suvs

Checking a Hyundai Santa Fe before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
32.5%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
4% more
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
119,162
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
9,200
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Hyundai Santa Fe ages

Each point is the share of Hyundai Santa Fes of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%15%30%45%60%3579111315171921Age at MOT (years)
Hyundai Santa FeAll cars
Hyundai Santa Fe first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Hyundai Santa FeAll cars
311.4%12.3%
414%14.1%
515.4%16.4%
616.9%19.1%
719.2%22.1%
823.5%25.5%
931.4%28.8%
1039.7%31.8%
1143.1%34.6%
1245.8%37.3%
1344.6%39.5%
1445.5%41.1%
1545.4%42.3%
1648.7%42.9%
1748.4%43.4%
1848.9%43.5%
1948.1%43.4%
2044.2%42.8%
2147.7%41.4%

By year

The best and worst Hyundai Santa Fe years

2020 cars come out best and 2012 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Hyundai Santa Fe MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
20213689.2%27% fewer fails30,579
2020 Santa Fe1,3129.5%29% fewer fails32,731
2019 Santa Fe3,42313%9% fewer fails36,531
2018 Santa Fe7,06514.2%10% fewer fails42,021
2017 Santa Fe9,33016.2%14% fewer fails51,620
2016 Santa Fe15,31418%16% fewer fails57,540
2015 Santa Fe10,74320.1%20% fewer fails66,301
2014 Santa Fe8,93429.2%1% more fails78,069
2013 Santa Fe5,00435.2%9% more fails87,121
2012 Santa Fe10,90842.4%20% more fails95,365
2011 Santa Fe11,89145.7%19% more fails105,720
2010 Santa Fe11,33845.3%12% more fails110,693
2009 Santa Fe2,55442.8%2% more fails106,985
2008 Santa Fe3,06245.7%4% more fails117,506
2007 Santa Fe4,86846.8%5% more fails119,435
2006 Santa Fe5,08050%12% more fails114,996
2005 Santa Fe3,20647.9%6% more fails119,092
2004 Santa Fe2,45849%9% more fails118,972
2003 Santa Fe1,45647.1%6% more fails114,503
200262144.8%3% more fails111,184
200122749.8%18% more fails102,025

Common problems

What fails most on a Hyundai Santa Fe

Its weak spot is steering: 82% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Lights and electrics14.2%11% above avg
  • Suspension10.8%3% above avg
  • Brakes9.5%24% above avg
  • Tyres6.1%11% below avg
  • Body, chassis and structure5.4%37% above avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.3%12% below avg
  • Steering4.1%82% above avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.6%55% below avg
  • Seat belts and airbags0.9%17% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Position lamp not working 4.49% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  2. 2

    Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.5% of tests

    A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.

  3. 3

    CV joint boot split or insecure 3.41% of tests

    A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

  4. 4

    Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.95% of tests

    Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

  5. 5

    Stop lamp not working 2.42% of tests

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  6. 6

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.4% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  7. 7

    Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.33% of tests

    Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.

  8. 8

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.11% of tests

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Hyundai Santa Fe's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit16.68%
  • Brake pads wearing thin9.83%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored7.54%
  • Brake pipes corroded and greasy5.87%
  • Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.27%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.87%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Hyundai Santa Fe

  1. 1

    Position lamp not working

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  2. 2

    Suspension ball joint excessively worn

    A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.

  3. 3

    CV joint boot split or insecure

    A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

  4. 4

    Brake pads worn below 1.5mm

    Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Hyundai Santa Fe covers about 9,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Diesel96.4%
  • Petrol3.4%
  • Hybrid0.2%
  • LPG0%

Most common colours

Silver, Black, White, Blue, Grey

Average engine size: 2.2 litres.

Compare

How the Hyundai Santa Fe compares with its rivals

Hyundai Santa Fe against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Porsche Macan7.6%58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Karoq9.6%30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Ateca11%30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Grandland13.6%about average for its age
Kia Sorento30.2%about average for its age
Hyundai Santa Fe32.5%4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 500833.1%38% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Hyundai models.

Questions

Hyundai Santa Fe questions, answered

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

On MOT results, the Hyundai Santa Fe is about average: it fails 32.5% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 45 of 59 family suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Hyundai Santa Fe MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Hyundai Santa Fe are position lamp not working (4.49% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (3.5% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.41% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14.2% of its tests.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2012 cars do worst (20% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Hyundai Santa Fe do a year?

A typical Hyundai Santa Fe covers about 9,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Hyundai Santa Fe before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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