2011 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Hyundai Santa FE?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints4.4× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  17.9% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.6%, against 2% of all 2011 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.

• Rigid brake pipes2.5× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  14.4% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1% of all 2011 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.

• Ball joint2.4× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  13.7% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 3.1% of all 2011 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.

• Number plate lights2× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  14.7% All 2011 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Suspension arm3.7× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  9.3% All 2011 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2011 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.

Common 2011 Hyundai Santa FE MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Hyundai Santa FE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% 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
  40% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  38% 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
  32% 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
  18% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE

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 2011 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 4.4× as often on the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?