2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe MOT pass rate and common faults

138 MOT tests in 2024. 52.2% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time52.2%
Failed or needed repairs47.8%
Typical mileage at test108,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 138 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.8%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.1%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.3%
  5. Washers: not working4.3%
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.6%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.6%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.6%
  9. Stop lamp: not working3.6%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension36.2%
  2. Lights & electrics30.4%
  3. Brakes24.6%
  4. Body & chassis13.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.9%
  6. Emissions & leaks8.7%
  7. Steering5.8%
  8. Tyres5.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine28.3%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded21.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Santa Fe years2003 Santa Fe →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe?

In 2024, 52.2% of 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe cars passed their MOT first time, across 138 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).