Used car guide

2009 Hyundai Tucson: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Hyundai Tucsons, from 510 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

510MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Hyundai Tucsons than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.5× usual
    Hyundai Tucson
    18.6% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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.

  • Sub-frame2.2× usual
    Hyundai Tucson
    17.3% All 2009 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Ball joint1.9× usual
    Hyundai Tucson
    12.5% All 2009 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 3.4% of all 2009 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.

By area

The share of 2009 Hyundai Tucson MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% 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
    41% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Steering
    15% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    13% 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.

Looking at a Hyundai Tucson?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,259Tyres 14%
202221,925Tyres 20%
202116,877Tyres 22%
202013,095Tyres 29%
201926,836Tyres 29%
201825,002Tyres 29%
201723,946Tyres 29%
201620,202Tyres 30%
20154,737Brakes 31%
2007712Suspension 55%
2006843Suspension 55%
2005776Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Hyundai Tucsons registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score