2004 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Hyundai Santa FE?

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

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  18.6% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 3% 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.

• Ball joint1.9× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  12.6% All 2004 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3.2% of all 2004 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.

• Brake pads1.7× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  13.1% All 2004 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.9% 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.

• Brake lights1.9× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  10.9% All 2004 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 4.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Shock absorbers1.7× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  11.5% All 2004 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Common 2004 Hyundai Santa FE MOT failures and advisories

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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  46% 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
  43% 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
  23% 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
  19% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Hyundai Santa FE

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?