At a Glance
The Hyundai Santa Fe has 21 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the Mk2 (2006-2012) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 549K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Hyundai Santa Fe common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Hyundai Santa Fe generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Hyundai Santa Fe Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1
Top issue: ABS fault
Mk2
Top issue: Driveshaft fault
Mk3
Top issue: Electronic parking brake fault
Mk4
Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated
Mk5
Most common MOT failure: Tyre tread depth below limit
Most Common Hyundai Santa Fe MOT Failures
Every reason Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 11.56% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 8.14% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.28% |
| 4 | Stop lamp not working | 6.31% |
| 5 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.17% |
| 6 | Front lamp not working | 6.04% |
| 7 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.55% |
| 8 | Position lamp not working | 4.52% |
| 9 | Tyre condition | 4.43% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 4.12% |
| 11 | Track rod end worn | 3.02% |
| 12 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.46% |
| 13 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.22% |
| 14 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.18% |
| 15 | Headlamp fault | 1.82% |
| 16 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.72% |
| 17 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.55% |
| 18 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.33% |
| 19 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.32% |
| 20 | Exhaust system fault | 1.28% |
| 21 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.23% |
| 22 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.21% |
| 23 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.14% |
| 24 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.90% |
| 25 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.83% |
| 26 | Steering rack fault | 0.80% |
| 27 | Indicator fault | 0.73% |
| 28 | Fog lamp not working | 0.69% |
| 29 | Parking brake condition | 0.64% |
| 30 | Seat belt condition | 0.63% |
| 31 | Airbag warning light on | 0.57% |
| 32 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.50% |
| 33 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.47% |
| 34 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.44% |
| 35 | Rear lamp not working | 0.43% |
| 36 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.43% |
| 37 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.35% |
| 38 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.31% |
| 39 | Rear suspension fault | 0.23% |
| 40 | ABS fault | 0.22% |
| 41 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.21% |
| 42 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.20% |
| 43 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.20% |
| 44 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.19% |
| 45 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.19% |
| 46 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.18% |
| 47 | Propshaft fault | 0.15% |
| 48 | Brake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 49 | Horn not working | 0.14% |
| 50 | Brake pedal fault | 0.14% |
| 51 | Engine oil leak | 0.13% |
| 52 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.09% |
| 53 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.09% |
| 54 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.09% |
| 55 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.08% |
| 56 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.08% |
| 57 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.07% |
| 58 | Front suspension fault | 0.07% |
| 59 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.06% |
| 60 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 61 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.06% |
| 62 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.06% |
| 63 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.06% |
| 64 | Brake caliper fault | 0.06% |
| 65 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 67 | Brake fluid leak | 0.06% |
| 68 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.05% |
| 69 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Spare wheel fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 73 | Chassis condition | 0.05% |
| 74 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 75 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.04% |
| 76 | Towbar fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 79 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 82 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 85 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 89 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 91 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 92 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 93 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 95 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.01% |
| 97 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 100 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 103 | Steering free play excessive | 0.01% |
| 104 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 105 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 106 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 108 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 110 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 112 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 114 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 115 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 117 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 122 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 124 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 125 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 127 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 128 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 129 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 131 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 133 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 138 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 142 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 146 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 148 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 150 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 151 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 156 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 167 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 175 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 178 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Hyundai Santa Fe MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Hyundai Santa Fe, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
Based on analysis of 549K Hyundai Santa Fe MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 21 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Driveshaft fault". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe generation has the most problems?
The Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (2006-2012) (2006–2012) has the highest number of identified common problems (19). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Hyundai Santa Fe owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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