2006 Hyundai Santa FE petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Hyundai Santa FE petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Hyundai Santa FE petrol than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  19.4% All 2006 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.6%, against 3.3% of all 2006 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.

• Brake pads1.9× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  15.4% All 2006 cars

  8.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.1% of all 2006 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.

• Sidelights1.9× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  13% All 2006 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.6%, against 6.1% of all 2006 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.

• Track rod ends2.1× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  11.3% All 2006 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Engine warning light2.8× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  7.5% All 2006 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 2.7% of all 2006 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.

Common 2006 Hyundai Santa FE petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Hyundai Santa FE petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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
  43% 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
  42% 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
  30% 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.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  18% 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.

Known faults on the 2006 Hyundai Santa FE petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Air con needing re-gassing

  All engines

  Air conditioning is one of the biggest problems; it can need re-gassing in under two years, and the compressor drive belt can give trouble.

  At the viewing: Make sure the air con blows properly cold, and listen for belt squeal.

  Source: What Car?: Hyundai Santa Fe (2006-2012) reliability

• Electrical faults

  All engines

  Electrical faults crop up, including on the powered seats.

  At the viewing: Test every electric seat, window and switch.

  Source: What Car?: Hyundai Santa Fe (2006-2012) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Hyundai Santa FE petrol

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 2.7× as often on the 2006 Hyundai Santa FE petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2006 Hyundai Santa FE petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2006 Hyundai Santa FE petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?