2016 Hyundai Tucson — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 117,262 MOT tests, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson recorded an 86.8% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 13.8%, so the 2016 Tucson sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (6.4%) and tyres (4.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and wipers — brake pads alone was recorded 4,548 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.6% in the 0-30k band and 21.5% in the 150k+ band, a 14.9-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 1.7pp more often than diesel ones (14.6% vs 13.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 6.4% | 7,532 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.0% | 4,640 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.4% | 3,925 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 3,147 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.4% | 1,638 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.1% | 1,233 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 4,548 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 3,469 |
| 3 | Wipers | 2,793 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,940 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 1,693 |
| 6 | Washers | 1,593 |
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 | 25.8% | 30,216 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.9% | 24,536 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.9% | 10,440 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.1% | 5,933 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 3,474 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 1,737 |
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 | 10,439 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 55,703 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 38,510 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 10,258 | 19.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,855 | 19.7% |
| 150k+ | 493 | 21.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 101,444 | 13.0% |
| Petrol | 15,813 | 14.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,996 | 9.7% |
| 2022 | 23,194 | 11.1% |
| 2023 | 23,524 | 13.3% |
| 2024 | 23,731 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 23,817 | 16.6% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Tucson
On a 2016 Tucson, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (6.4% 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.
- Tyres (4.0% 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 (3.4% 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.
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 2016 Hyundai Tucsons pass their MOT?
86.8% of the 117,262 2016 Hyundai Tucson MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
Brakes, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by tyres (4.0%).
Does the 2016 Tucson get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 21.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 117,262 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.