Hyundai Santa Fe MOT pass rate and common problems
74.8% of 52,454 Hyundai Santa Fe MOT tests pass.
At 74.8%, the Santa Fe passes slightly less often than the average across all Hyundai models (79.7%).
At 74.8%, the Hyundai Santa Fe passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Hyundai Santa Fe?
This is the average across every Hyundai Santa Fe in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Hyundai’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Hyundai Santa Fe tested at 0–3 years pass 93.8% of the time, compared with just 61.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.8% | 1,782 | 28,029 miles |
| 3–6 years | 90.4% | 5,715 | 43,432 miles |
| 6–10 years | 83.4% | 18,720 | 69,028 miles |
| 10–15 years | 65.1% | 18,365 | 107,679 miles |
| 15+ years | 61.4% | 7,872 | 119,986 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Hyundai Santa Fe
The most common reason the Hyundai Santa Fe fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 55.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 55.2% | Not working |
| Suspension | 40.7% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 39.7% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 22.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.2% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 12.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 12.5% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.5% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe: what to check
These checks follow the Hyundai Santa Fe’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Hyundai Santa Fe comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 83.4% to 65.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 77.4% down to 65.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 55.2% of failed Hyundai Santa Fe MOTs. 31.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.0% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 40.7% of failed Hyundai Santa Fe MOTs. 24.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 1.9% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 39.7% of failed Hyundai Santa Fe MOTs. 21.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 0.5% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 22.0% of failed Hyundai Santa Fe MOTs. 7.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 2.4% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 15.2% of failed Hyundai Santa Fe MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 10.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Hyundai service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Hyundai models
- Hyundai Ioniq — 91.1% pass rate
- Hyundai IX35 — 71.3% pass rate
- Hyundai Kona — 91.4% pass rate
- Hyundai IX20 — 77.3% pass rate
- Hyundai i40 — 77.4% pass rate
- Hyundai Getz — 61.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Hyundai Santa Fe?
- 74.8% of Hyundai Santa Fe MOT tests pass, based on 52,454 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The most common reason the Hyundai Santa Fe fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 55.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Hyundai Santa Fe?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Hyundai Santa Fe are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 31.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.0% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Hyundai Santa Fe's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Hyundai service history guide for how to check and keep one.