2007 Hyundai Tucson petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Exhaust system2.1× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  19% All 2007 cars

  8.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.5% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Sub-frame2.7× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  15.9% All 2007 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, 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 pipes7.9× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  5.5% 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.

• Seat belts3.3× usual
  Hyundai Tucson

  5% All 2007 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

Common 2007 Hyundai Tucson petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  52% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  40% 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
  35% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  20% 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 an engine warning light.

• Steering
  14% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 Hyundai Tucson petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2007 Hyundai Tucson petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2007 Hyundai Tucson petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 7.9× as often on the 2007 Hyundai Tucson petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?