2012 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Hyundai Santa FE first registered in 2012: we looked at the 2,848 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Hyundai Santa FE?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Drive shaft (CV) joints3.6× usualHyundai Santa FE15.8% All 2012 cars4.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
- Suspension arm4.2× usualHyundai Santa FE10.8% All 2012 cars2.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Rigid brake pipes2.3× usualHyundai Santa FE12.4% All 2012 cars5.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
- Side repeaters6.1× usualHyundai Santa FE7.3% All 2012 cars1.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Number plate lights1.8× usualHyundai Santa FE13.4% All 2012 cars7.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
Braking performance: 2.3% here, against 4.9% of all 2012 cars.
Common 2012 Hyundai Santa FE MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2012 Hyundai Santa FE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension49% 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 electrics37% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes36% 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.
- Driveshafts and joints16% 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 leaks11% 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 2012 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.
- All engines
Air con needing re-gassing
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.
- All engines
Electrical faults
Electrical faults crop up, including on the powered seats.
At the viewing: Test every electric seat, window and switch.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Hyundai Santa FE
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Hyundai Santa FE?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Hyundai Santa FE compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 478 | Tyres 22% |
| 2022 | 1,953 | Tyres 22% |
| 2021 | 930 | Tyres 23% |
| 2020 | 522 | Tyres 24% |
| 2019 | 1,093 | Tyres 25% |
| 2018 | 1,924 | Tyres 28% |
| 2017 | 2,608 | Tyres 30% |
| 2016 | 4,270 | Tyres 31% |
| 2015 | 2,928 | Tyres 30% |
| 2014 | 2,471 | Suspension 38% |
| 2013 | 1,322 | Suspension 47% |
| 2011 | 3,052 | Suspension 54% |
| 2010 | 2,813 | Suspension 59% |
| 2009 | 532 | Suspension 59% |
| 2008 | 570 | Suspension 59% |
| 2007 | 890 | Suspension 58% |
| 2006 | 867 | Suspension 58% |
| 2005 | 531 | Suspension 59% |
| 2004 | 393 | Suspension 56% |
| 2003 | 246 | Lights and electrics 47% |
| 2002 | – | Too few tests |
| 2001 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Hyundai Santa FE cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score