Used car guide · 2001–2026

Hyundai Santa FE common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Hyundai Santa FE, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 100,616 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

100,616MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
48,073on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2023best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

What usually goes wrong with a Hyundai Santa FE?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Air con needing re-gassing

    Cars registered 2006–2012 · 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

    Cars registered 2006–2012 · 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

  • eCall recall (built Sept to Dec 2020)

    Cars registered 2020–2021 · Built late 2020

    On cars built 1 September to 14 December 2020 the emergency call system might not work because the car's details weren't registered with the software. A dealer update fixes it. Few other faults are reported.

    At the viewing: Ask a Hyundai dealer whether the update was done.

    Source: What Car?: used Hyundai Santa Fe (2018-2024) reliability

Common Hyundai Santa FE MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2006.

    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 pads

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2006.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Diesel

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    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 pads

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2021.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 27× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2021.

    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.

  • Prop shaft

    up to 19.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.

    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.

Hybrid

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Hyundai Santa FE MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2023 Hyundai Santa FE did best (95% passed first time, 3 points above all 2023 cars) and the 2012 did worst (55%, 9 points below all 2012 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202395%92% +3682
202291%89% +22,036
202189%87% +21,825
202087%87% +01,573
201985%85% +03,352
201883%83% +05,726
201782%80% +27,847
201680%77% +312,717
201577%74% +38,793
201468%70% -27,436
201362%67% -54,066
201255%64% -98,988
201153%62% -99,829
201053%60% -79,236
200957%59% -21,928
200854%57% -32,214
200753%57% -43,438
200650%56% -63,539
200551%57% -62,210
200453%57% -41,638
200355%57% -21,012
200254%58% -4412 (small sample)
200153%60% -7119 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 11× as often on the Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the Hyundai Santa FE as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score