Used car guide

2004 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Hyundai Santa FEs, from 393 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 393 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

393MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,700typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Hyundai Santa FEs than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual
    Hyundai Santa FE
    19.3% All 2004 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 2.9% of all 2004 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.

  • Brake pads2.1× usual
    Hyundai Santa FE
    15.3% All 2004 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

By area

The share of 2004 Hyundai Santa FE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% 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.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    45% 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.

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    28% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    20% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
2003246Lights and electrics 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Hyundai Santa FEs registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score