2006 Hyundai Tucson: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Hyundai Tucsons, from 843 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Hyundai Tucsons than on all cars registered in 2006.
- Sub-frame2.3× usualHyundai Tucson16.1% All 2006 cars7.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
- Airbag warning light3.5× usualHyundai Tucson4.5% All 2006 cars1.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Rust around sub-frame mountings2.6× usualHyundai Tucson3.6% All 2006 cars1.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
By area
The share of 2006 Hyundai Tucson MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension55% 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 electrics46% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes44% 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.
- Tyres33% 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 leaks18% 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.
- Exhaust and emissions16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200
At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,259 | Tyres 14% |
| 2022 | 21,925 | Tyres 20% |
| 2021 | 16,877 | Tyres 22% |
| 2020 | 13,095 | Tyres 29% |
| 2019 | 26,836 | Tyres 29% |
| 2018 | 25,002 | Tyres 29% |
| 2017 | 23,946 | Tyres 29% |
| 2016 | 20,202 | Tyres 30% |
| 2015 | 4,737 | Brakes 31% |
| 2009 | 510 | Suspension 53% |
| 2007 | 712 | Suspension 55% |
| 2005 | 776 | Suspension 60% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Hyundai Tucsons registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score