2005 Hyundai Tucson diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Hyundai Tucson diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Hyundai Tucson diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Headlights1.7× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  22.4% All 2005 cars

  13.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 5% of all 2005 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.

• Sub-frame2.5× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  13.9% All 2005 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Number plate lights1.8× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  14.4% All 2005 cars

  8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 2.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Ball joint1.9× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  12.1% All 2005 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 3.2% of all 2005 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.1× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  8.9% All 2005 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.5% of all 2005 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.

Common 2005 Hyundai Tucson diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Hyundai Tucson diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  59% 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
  45% 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
  42% 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
  32% 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
  23% 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
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Hyundai Tucson 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 1.7× as often on the 2005 Hyundai Tucson diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2005 Hyundai Tucson diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2005 Hyundai Tucson diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?