2021 Hyundai Tucson — MOT failures & pass rate
46,790 MOT tests on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson are in this dataset, and 92.2% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.1%, so the 2021 Tucson sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (4.3%) and tyres (3.3%) 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 headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 2,094 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 16.1% versus 6.5%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.9pp more often than hybrid ones (10.7% vs 6.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.3% | 2,031 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.3% | 1,531 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 589 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 524 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 460 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 127 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,094 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 736 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 483 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 407 |
| 5 | Washers | 403 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 397 |
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 | 17.4% | 8,161 |
| 2 | Other defects | 7.1% | 3,320 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 3,313 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 1,302 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 389 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.8% | 370 |
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 | 26,134 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 19,130 | 9.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,324 | 10.3% |
| 90-120k | 147 | 13.6% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 22,769 | 6.8% |
| Petrol | 19,261 | 8.2% |
| Diesel | 4,759 | 10.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 31 | 6.5% |
| 2023 | 590 | 5.9% |
| 2024 | 23,041 | 7.9% |
| 2025 | 23,107 | 7.7% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Tucson
On a 2021 Tucson, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (4.3% 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 (3.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2021 Hyundai Tucsons pass their MOT?
92.2% of the 46,790 2021 Hyundai Tucson MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Hyundai Tucson?
Visibility, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by tyres (3.3%).
Does the 2021 Tucson get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 16.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 46,790 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.