2016 Hyundai Tucson: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Hyundai Tucson first registered in 2016: we looked at the 60,562 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson than on all cars registered in 2016.
- Brake pads1.6× usualHyundai Tucson17.3% All 2016 cars10.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Common 2016 Hyundai Tucson MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2016 Hyundai Tucson MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres30% 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.
- Brakes27% 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.
- Suspension10% 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 electrics7% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors6% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Seats and seatbelts4% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Known faults on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson
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.
- Manual diesel
Clutch judder (manual diesel)
Manual diesels can suffer from clutch judder. A redesigned clutch is available.
At the viewing: Pull away gently several times and feel for judder.
If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic
Bonnet catch recall
Cars built up to 15 March 2016 were recalled because the bonnet catch could fail.
At the viewing: Ask a Hyundai dealer to confirm the recall was done.
- DCT automatic
Hesitant DCT automatic
The dual-clutch automatic can be hesitant and laggy pulling away.
At the viewing: Test it from a standstill and in slow traffic.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Hyundai Tucson
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Hyundai Tucson?
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 Tucson 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 | 1,411 | Tyres 13% |
| 2022 | 22,817 | Tyres 20% |
| 2021 | 33,721 | Tyres 21% |
| 2020 | 39,238 | Tyres 27% |
| 2019 | 79,706 | Tyres 29% |
| 2018 | 73,961 | Tyres 30% |
| 2017 | 71,334 | Tyres 29% |
| 2015 | 14,350 | Tyres 30% |
| 2010 | 761 | Brakes 42% |
| 2009 | 1,835 | Suspension 51% |
| 2008 | 1,723 | Suspension 50% |
| 2007 | 2,864 | Suspension 52% |
| 2006 | 3,511 | Suspension 56% |
| 2005 | 3,162 | Suspension 58% |
| 2004 | 785 | Suspension 53% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Hyundai Tucson cars first registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score