2010 Hyundai Santa-Fe — MOT failures & pass rate
22,198 MOT tests on the 2010 Hyundai Santa-Fe are in this dataset, and 71.3% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 20.5% of the time, so this is 8.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.2%) and suspension (14.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 2,010 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.1% in the 0-30k band and 32.2% in the 150k+ band, a 18.1-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 3,820 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 3,284 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.5% | 2,338 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 1,788 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 1,155 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 944 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,010 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,795 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,774 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 884 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 869 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 856 |
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 | 38.8% | 8,615 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.5% | 7,437 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.0% | 5,988 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.5% | 2,991 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 2,707 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 2,067 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 78 | 14.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,158 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 4,586 | 25.7% |
| 90-120k | 7,945 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 5,557 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,874 | 32.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,103 | 28.7% |
| Petrol | 95 | 28.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,877 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 4,720 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 4,550 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 4,207 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 3,844 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Santa-Fe
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.8% 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.
- Brakes (10.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2010 Hyundai Santa-Fes pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 22,198 2010 Hyundai Santa-Fe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Hyundai Santa-Fe?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 2010 Santa-Fe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,198 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.