Used car guide

2006 Hyundai Santa FE: petrol or diesel?

Petrol, diesel and hybrid versions go wrong in different ways, so each has its own figures from the MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Pick the one you’re looking at: the fuel is on the logbook and in the car’s MOT history.

Hybrid versions had too few MOTs for figures of their own, or weren’t sold.

Known faults on every 2006 Hyundai Santa FE

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Air con needing re-gassing

    All engines

    Air conditioning is one of the biggest problems; it can need re-gassing in under two years, and the compressor drive belt can give trouble.

    At the viewing: Make sure the air con blows properly cold, and listen for belt squeal.

    Source: What Car?: Hyundai Santa Fe (2006-2012) reliability

  • Electrical faults

    All engines

    Electrical faults crop up, including on the powered seats.

    At the viewing: Test every electric seat, window and switch.

    Source: What Car?: Hyundai Santa Fe (2006-2012) reliability

Looking at a Hyundai Santa FE?

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Other years

Every year of the Hyundai Santa FE compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023682Tyres 20%
20222,036Tyres 21%
20211,825Tyres 22%
20201,573Tyres 24%
20193,352Tyres 23%
20185,726Tyres 27%
20177,847Tyres 30%
201612,717Tyres 30%
20158,793Tyres 31%
20147,436Suspension 33%
20134,066Suspension 44%
20128,988Suspension 45%
20119,829Suspension 50%
20109,236Suspension 55%
20091,928Suspension 57%
20082,214Suspension 59%
20073,438Suspension 59%
20052,210Suspension 55%
20041,638Suspension 53%
20031,012Lights and electrics 46%
2002412Brakes 48%
2001119Suspension 57%