Used car guide

2003 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Hyundai Santa FEs, from 246 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 246 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

246MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,900typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for number plates

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Hyundai Santa FEs than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Number plates2.1× usual
    Hyundai Santa FE
    16.3% All 2003 cars
    7.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
    Hyundai Santa FE
    15% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2003 Hyundai Santa FE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    47% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    46% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    37% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    32% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    15% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Hyundai Santa FE?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023478Tyres 22%
20221,953Tyres 22%
2021930Tyres 23%
2020522Tyres 24%
20191,093Tyres 25%
20181,924Tyres 28%
20172,608Tyres 30%
20164,270Tyres 31%
20152,928Tyres 30%
20142,471Suspension 38%
20131,322Suspension 47%
20122,848Suspension 49%
20113,052Suspension 54%
20102,813Suspension 59%
2009532Suspension 59%
2008570Suspension 59%
2007890Suspension 58%
2006867Suspension 58%
2005531Suspension 59%
2004393Suspension 56%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Hyundai Santa FEs registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score