2008 Hyundai Tucson — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,537 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Hyundai Tucson, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.3% was in line with the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (73.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.8% in the 150k+ group versus 15.6% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.3% | 650 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 636 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.9% | 497 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.9% | 221 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 211 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 211 |
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 | 298 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 235 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 214 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 206 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 201 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 171 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.5% | 1,657 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.1% | 1,593 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.1% | 1,275 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 756 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 680 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.0% | 589 |
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 | 333 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,143 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,907 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 860 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 275 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,415 | 27.3% |
| Petrol | 1,122 | 28.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,193 | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 1,100 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 928 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 748 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 568 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Tucson
Before buying a 2008 Hyundai Tucson, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.3% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (14.3% 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 (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.9% 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 2008 Hyundai Tucsons pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 4,537 2008 Hyundai Tucson MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Hyundai Tucson?
Suspension, recorded in 14.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.0%).
Does the 2008 Tucson get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 30-60k band to 33.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,537 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.