2003 Hyundai Santa FE diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Hyundai Santa FE diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE diesel than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Headlights1.9× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  22% All 2003 cars

  11.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 4.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  13.3% All 2003 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Ball joint2× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  12.9% All 2003 cars

  6.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Suspension arm2.4× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  7.5% All 2003 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2003 Hyundai Santa FE diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Hyundai Santa FE diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  49% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  48% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  29% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  29% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Hyundai Santa FE diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?