2004 Hyundai Santa-Fe — MOT failures & pass rate
5,124 MOT tests on the 2004 Hyundai Santa-Fe are in this dataset, and 69.8% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 25.2% of the time, so this is 5.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.9% of all tests — 4.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 501 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.7% in the 30-60k band and 34.5% in the 150k+ band, a 11.9-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 29.8% of the time against 30.5% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 970 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.6% | 747 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 589 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.3% | 529 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 363 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 289 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 501 |
| 2 | Joints | 416 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 373 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 346 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 311 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 292 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 38.1% | 1,950 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.5% | 1,921 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.8% | 1,425 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.2% | 1,341 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 23.4% | 1,201 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 21.7% | 1,112 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 225 | 22.7% |
| 60-90k | 813 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,467 | 28.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,508 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,094 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,509 | 30.5% |
| Petrol | 1,615 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,658 | 29.1% |
| 2022 | 1,319 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 948 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 693 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 506 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Santa-Fe
On a 2004 Santa-Fe, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Hyundai Santa-Fes pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 5,124 2004 Hyundai Santa-Fe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Hyundai Santa-Fe?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.6%).
Does the 2004 Santa-Fe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.7% in the 30-60k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,124 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.