Used car guide

2016 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Hyundai Santa FEs, from 4,270 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,270MOT tests in 2025
78%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
8,100typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Hyundai Santa FEs than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Ball joint2.8× usual
    Hyundai Santa FE
    7.8% All 2016 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3× usual
    Hyundai Santa FE
    3% All 2016 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Transmission oil leaks4.6× usual
    Hyundai Santa FE
    2.3% All 2016 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Better than most

Coil springs: 0.6% here, against 4.1% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Hyundai Santa FE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Brakes
    25% 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.

  • Suspension
    20% 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
    9% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,953Tyres 22%
2021930Tyres 23%
2020522Tyres 24%
20191,093Tyres 25%
20181,924Tyres 28%
20172,608Tyres 30%
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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Hyundai Santa FEs registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score