2021 Hyundai Santa FE hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Hyundai Santa FE hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE hybrid than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Engine oil leaks8× usual
  Hyundai Santa FE

  3.2% All 2021 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2021 Hyundai Santa FE hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Hyundai Santa FE hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  22% 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
  4% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Suspension
  3% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Lights and electrics
  2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults on the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE hybrid

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.

• eCall recall (built Sept to Dec 2020)

  Built late 2020

  On cars built 1 September to 14 December 2020 the emergency call system might not work because the car's details weren't registered with the software. A dealer update fixes it. Few other faults are reported.

  At the viewing: Ask a Hyundai dealer whether the update was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Hyundai Santa Fe (2018-2024) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Hyundai Santa FE hybrid

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

1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 8× as often on the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?