2018 Hyundai Tucson — MOT failures & pass rate
139,647 MOT tests on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson are in this dataset, and 89.5% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 10.3%, so the 2018 Tucson sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (4.2%) and visibility (4.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 5,441 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.8% in the 0-30k band and 22.4% in the 150k+ band, a 15.6-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 10.5% of the time against 10.7% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4.2% | 5,830 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.2% | 5,789 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.0% | 5,588 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 2,816 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 1,439 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.7% | 919 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 5,441 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 4,319 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 4,212 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 2,292 |
| 5 | Washers | 1,291 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 963 |
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 | 26.1% | 36,449 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.5% | 23,094 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.5% | 13,304 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 3,999 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.5% | 3,542 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 907 |
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 | 50,758 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 69,230 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 17,029 | 16.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,195 | 21.0% |
| 120-150k | 326 | 19.3% |
| 150k+ | 107 | 22.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 104,906 | 10.5% |
| Diesel | 34,737 | 10.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,955 | 7.6% |
| 2022 | 27,766 | 9.5% |
| 2023 | 27,698 | 10.3% |
| 2024 | 27,924 | 12.0% |
| 2025 | 28,304 | 13.2% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Tucson
On a 2018 Tucson, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (4.2% 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.
- Visibility (4.2% 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.
- 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.
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 2018 Hyundai Tucsons pass their MOT?
89.5% of the 139,647 2018 Hyundai Tucson MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
Brakes, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by visibility (4.2%).
Does the 2018 Tucson get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 22.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 139,647 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.