2003 Hyundai Santa Fe · 1,456 MOT tests
2003 Hyundai Santa Fe reliability
2003 Hyundai Santa Fes fail 47.1% of first MOT tests, 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 18 Santa Fe years (1,456 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Hyundai Santa Fes: 32.5%)
- 47.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Hyundai Santa Fes: 32.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 114,503
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,456
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 14.6% of tests fail here (48% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 46% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.5%
- Suspension17.9%
- Body, chassis and structure14.6%
- Brakes13.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7%
- Tyres6.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.01%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Position lamp not working 6.18%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 5.56%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.4%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.98%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.91%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (24.31%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (18.41%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.97%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.71%) · Brake pads wearing thin (12.09%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (9.96%)
Other years
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year
The full picture: Hyundai Santa Fe reliability. Before you pay for any Hyundai Santa Fe, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
2003 Hyundai Santa Fes fail 47.1% of first MOT tests, 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 18 Santa Fe years (1,456 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (7.01% of tests), position lamp not working (6.18% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.56% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe shows 114,503 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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