2007 Hyundai Tucson diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Hyundai Tucson diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Hyundai Tucson diesel than on all cars registered in 2007.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  17.4% All 2007 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.2% of all 2007 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.

• Sub-frame2× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  11.9% All 2007 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.4% of all 2007 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.

• Corroded fuel pipes3.7× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  2.6% All 2007 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings2.2× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  2.4% All 2007 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2007 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.

Common 2007 Hyundai Tucson diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Hyundai Tucson diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  51% 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.

• Brakes
  43% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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
  17% 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
  15% 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 2007 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2007 Hyundai Tucson diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2007 Hyundai Tucson diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2007 Hyundai Tucson diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?