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HYUNDAI SANTA FE Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,924 MOT tests from 154 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every HYUNDAI SANTA FE has the same fault.

HYUNDAI SANTA FE's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 558/999. The score was calculated from the average of every HYUNDAI SANTA FE that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the HYUNDAI SANTA FE.

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Check a Hyundai Santa Fe before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Hyundai Santa Fe side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A735/999Very good120,008 miles813 vehicles
N/AN/A722/999Very good93,862 miles1,914 vehicles
N/AN/A701/999Very good83,517 miles2,570 vehicles
N/AN/A668/999Good81,614 miles2,598 vehicles
N/AN/A514/999Above average78,354 miles580 vehicles
N/AN/A464/999Average91,943 miles566 vehicles
N/AN/A455/999Average93,262 miles761 vehicles
N/AN/A449/999Average91,448 miles840 vehicles
N/AN/A449/999Average77,165 miles1,878 vehicles
N/AN/A419/999Average83,719 miles765 vehicles

How reliable is the HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

Based on 1,924 MOT tests from 154 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

154

MOT tests

1,924

Pass rate

74.6%

Median mileage

102,259 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every HYUNDAI SANTA FE has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 629 out of 999.

Common HYUNDAI SANTA FE MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 269 advisory comments and 15 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 111 advisory comments and 9 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 106 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 64 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 58 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 45 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 30 advisory comments and 9 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 36 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

HYUNDAI SANTA FE MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
202681100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
202251275%Tyre wear
201853577.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201765088%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20161918183.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20151112180.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20141518478.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013912276.2%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20121827471.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20111222868%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20101835071.7%Tyre wear, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used HYUNDAI SANTA FE

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Buying a HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

Common problems tell you what can affect HYUNDAI SANTA FEs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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