2006 Hyundai Tucson — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,429 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Hyundai Tucson, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.9% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (72.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.8% in the 150k+ group versus 15.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.2% | 1,998 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 1,564 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.2% | 1,376 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.1% | 632 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 570 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 502 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 628 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 622 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 610 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 592 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 524 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 485 |
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% | 4,041 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.0% | 3,858 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.1% | 2,933 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 2,196 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.9% | 1,654 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 1,473 |
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 | 38 | 15.8% |
| 30-60k | 498 | 22.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,355 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 3,999 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,562 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 973 | 34.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,888 | 30.4% |
| Petrol | 3,541 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,189 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 2,594 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 2,051 | 31.9% |
| 2024 | 1,502 | 31.6% |
| 2025 | 1,093 | 30.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Tucson
Before buying a 2006 Hyundai Tucson, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 19.2% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (19.2% 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 (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.2% 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 2006 Hyundai Tucsons pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 10,429 2006 Hyundai Tucson MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Hyundai Tucson?
Suspension, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.0%).
Does the 2006 Tucson get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 0-30k band to 34.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,429 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.