Used car guide · 2004–2026

Hyundai Tucson common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Hyundai Tucson, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 411,696 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson

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 Tucson as a whole.

14,294registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolmost 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).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152010200920082007200620052004

What usually goes wrong with a Hyundai Tucson?

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.

  • Clutch judder (manual diesel)

    Cars registered 2015–2020 · 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

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Tucson (2015-2020) guide

  • Hybrid power loss and software faults

    Cars registered 2021–2025 · Hybrid

    A few hybrid owners report intermittent loss of power needing dealer work, and hybrids have more software and electronics issues.

    At the viewing: Drive it properly and watch for warnings.

    Source: What Car?: used Hyundai Tucson (2021 on) reliability

  • Bonnet catch recall

    Cars registered 2015–2016

    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.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Tucson (2015-2020) guide

  • Hesitant DCT automatic

    Cars registered 2015–2020 · 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.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Tucson (2015-2020) guide

  • Warning lights and minor electrical faults

    Cars registered 2021–2025 · All engines

    18% of cars in What Car?'s survey had a fault, mostly minor bodywork or electrical, and nearly all were fixed free under warranty.

    At the viewing: Check no warnings stay on and test the electrics, including the boot button.

    Source: What Car?: used Hyundai Tucson (2021 on) reliability

Common Hyundai Tucson 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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Wipers

    up to 2.4× usual

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

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Exhaust system

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Brake pads

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 12.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

Diesel

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At 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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 30× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 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.

  • Corroded fuel pipes

    up to 4.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At 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.

Hybrid

  • Wipers

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022 and 2023.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Hyundai Tucson MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson did best (89% passed first time, 2 points above all 2021 cars) and the 2006 did worst (51%, 5 points below all 2006 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202392%92% +01,408
202290%89% +122,805
202189%87% +233,720
202085%87% -239,219
201985%85% +079,696
201884%83% +173,961
201781%80% +171,334
201679%77% +260,562
201576%74% +214,350
201058%60% -2761
200959%59% +01,835
200856%57% -11,723
200753%57% -42,864
200651%56% -53,511
200553%57% -43,162
200452%57% -5785

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Hyundai Tucson

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Hyundai Tucson as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the Hyundai Tucson as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Hyundai Tucson as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, 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