At a Glance
The Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1 has 7 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with ABS fault being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. The most serious issue flagged is Suspension attachment bracket or mounting corroded, rated as dangerous. Based on 190K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1 MOT Pass Rate
Across 190K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1 (2001–2006) has a fail rate of 37.6%.
UK average fail rate (2006): 35.3%
Common Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
ABS fault
2,488
occurrences
Brake performance below minimum
842
occurrences
Bonnet catch or hinge fault
519
occurrences
Compression ignition emissions above threshold
431
occurrences
Steering lock fault
177
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
568 distinct problems · 405,291 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Hyundai Santa Fe Generations
Mk1
2001–2006
10 problems
Current page
Mk2
2006–2012
19 problems
Mk3
2012–2018
5 problems
Mk4
2018–2024
0 problems
Mk5 (2024-present)
2024–2025
0 problems
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1 (2001–2006), we have identified 7 common problems. The most frequently reported is "ABS fault". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1?
This generation has 190K MOT tests on record with a 37.6% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1?
There are 184 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the Mk1 (2001–2006), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Hyundai Santa Fe Mk1?
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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