2023 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2023 Hyundai Santa FE?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2023 Hyundai Santa FE than on all cars registered in 2023.

• Shock absorbers4.5× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  4.5% All 2023 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2023 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.

• Nail or damage in a tyre3× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  4.5% All 2023 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Common 2023 Hyundai Santa FE MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2023 Hyundai Santa FE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  20% 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.

• Suspension
  5% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  2% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  2% 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
  2% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2023 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 shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2023 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the nail or damage in a tyre? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2023 Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?