2010 Hyundai Tucson — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,830 MOT tests, the 2010 Hyundai Tucson recorded a 75.3% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 25.2%, so the 2010 Tucson sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.2%) and brakes (10.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and tread depth — position lamp alone was recorded 124 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.7% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 223 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 196 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.4% | 190 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.8% | 106 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 97 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.4% | 80 |
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 | 124 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 85 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 85 |
| 4 | Joints | 73 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 71 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 70 |
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 | 35.3% | 645 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.3% | 500 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.1% | 495 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 252 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 246 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.3% | 188 |
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 | 162 | 13.6% |
| 60-90k | 676 | 24.0% |
| 90-120k | 597 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 274 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 108 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,449 | 24.2% |
| Petrol | 381 | 26.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 426 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 393 | 22.7% |
| 2023 | 381 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 335 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 295 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Tucson
On a 2010 Tucson, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.7% 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.
- Suspension (10.4% 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.
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 Tucsons pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 1,830 2010 Hyundai Tucson MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Hyundai Tucson?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.2% of tests, followed by brakes (10.7%).
Does the 2010 Tucson get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 30-60k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,830 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.