2020 Hyundai Santa-Fe — MOT failures & pass rate
1,777 MOT tests on the 2020 Hyundai Santa-Fe are in this dataset, and 90.3% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 9.3%, so the 2020 Santa-Fe sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.9%) and visibility (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and shock absorbers — wipers alone was recorded 53 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 13.4% once past 60-90k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.9% | 52 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.8% | 50 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 47 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.1% | 37 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 30 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.5% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 53 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 33 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 32 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 29 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 20 |
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 | 20.9% | 371 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 266 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.5% | 115 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.7% | 65 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 58 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.1% | 55 |
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 | 719 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 911 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 127 | 13.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 604 | 9.9% |
| 2024 | 566 | 7.6% |
| 2025 | 574 | 11.3% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Santa-Fe
On a 2020 Santa-Fe, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (2.6% 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 2020 Hyundai Santa-Fes pass their MOT?
90.3% of the 1,777 2020 Hyundai Santa-Fe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Hyundai Santa-Fe?
Tyres, recorded in 2.9% of tests, followed by visibility (2.8%).
Does the 2020 Santa-Fe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 13.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,777 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.