2013 Hyundai Santa-Fe — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,032 MOT tests, the 2013 Hyundai Santa-Fe recorded a 74.7% pass rate. That is 8.9 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 16.4%. Failures cluster in steering, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — steering (11.4%) and suspension (11.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, ball joint and linkage ball joints — track rod end alone was recorded 1,112 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.9% in the 0-30k band and 30.4% in the 150k+ band, a 21.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering | 11.4% | 1,030 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.0% | 993 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 580 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.4% | 578 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.3% | 476 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.4% | 220 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 1,112 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 459 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 347 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 309 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 300 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 225 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.9% | 2,335 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.4% | 2,028 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.5% | 1,488 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.1% | 1,270 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.9% | 982 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 550 |
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 | 79 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,231 | 16.5% |
| 60-90k | 3,606 | 24.6% |
| 90-120k | 2,791 | 28.7% |
| 120-150k | 989 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 336 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,976 | 25.3% |
| Petrol | 52 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,825 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 1,811 | 24.5% |
| 2023 | 1,838 | 25.5% |
| 2024 | 1,814 | 26.2% |
| 2025 | 1,744 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Santa-Fe
On a 2013 Santa-Fe, steering is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Steering (11.4% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Suspension (11.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2013 Hyundai Santa-Fes pass their MOT?
74.7% of the 9,032 2013 Hyundai Santa-Fe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Hyundai Santa-Fe?
Steering, recorded in 11.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.0%).
Does the 2013 Santa-Fe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,032 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.