Used car guide

2005 Hyundai Terracan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Hyundai Terracans, from 290 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 290 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

290MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,800typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Hyundai Terracans than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Rigid brake pipes1.9× usual
    Hyundai Terracan
    27.6% All 2005 cars
    14.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Chassis rust or damage3.8× usual
    Hyundai Terracan
    13.8% All 2005 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wheel bearings2.8× usual
    Hyundai Terracan
    10.3% All 2005 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 1.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Suspension arm2.5× usual
    Hyundai Terracan
    10.3% All 2005 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

By area

The share of 2005 Hyundai Terracan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    49% 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
    49% 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
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    21% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% 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
2007195Brakes 55%
2006231Suspension 50%
2004191Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Hyundai Terracans registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score