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 100,858 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Hyundai Santa FE

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Hyundai Santa FE as a whole.

3,350registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol hybrid)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

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, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 11× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 4.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 5.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

    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.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

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% +3691
202291%89% +22,050
202189%87% +21,840
202086%87% -11,587
201985%85% +03,370
201883%83% +05,740
201782%80% +27,855
201680%77% +312,732
201577%74% +38,803
201468%70% -27,449
201362%67% -54,088
201255%64% -98,999
201153%62% -99,846
201053%60% -79,252
200957%59% -21,931
200854%57% -32,234
200753%57% -43,446
200650%56% -63,539
200551%57% -62,210
200453%57% -41,638
200355%57% -21,012
200254%58% -4416 (small sample)
200153%60% -7130 (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