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Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) (2006-2012) reliability

At a glance

Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) built around 2012: about average at the MOT

Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) models built around 2012 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

32% of MOT tests on Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) models built around 2012 ended in a fail (retests included), against 28% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) models built around 2012 involves the suspension.

Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM)
poor reliability2006-2012SUVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 16,661 tests of Santa Fe models registered 2006-2012.

About 1 in 9 Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) MOTs (11%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2012 (13 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,361 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) MOTs (8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2012 (13 years old).

Based on 4,361 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk2 (CM) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,77234.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
4,36132.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
4,59433.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,28032.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
69331.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,02831.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,26733.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
66633.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 12 years old.

How the Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) compares

At each age below, see how the Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 71,413 tests across 9 Hyundai models, built around 2012 (13 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHyundai average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,77234.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
4,36132.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
4,59433.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,28032.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
69331.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,02831.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,26733.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
66633.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Santa Fe Mk2 (CM).

  1. 1

    Porsche Cayenne

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.1%
    Dangerous
    4.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.8%

    Lower fail rate: 16.0%, against 32.4% for the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM), both built around 2012.

    1,755 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    Audi Q7

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.2%
    Dangerous
    6.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.6%

    Lower fail rate: 16.5%, against 32.4% for the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM), both built around 2012.

    2,062 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  3. 3

    Suzuki Jimny

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.5%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 21.5%, against 32.4% for the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM), both built around 2012.

    1,037 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  4. 4

    Honda CR-V

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.4%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.8%, against 32.4% for the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM), both built around 2012.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    13,965 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Hyundai Santa Fe.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

25 recalls in all

5 of the 25 Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • The anti-lock brake system module remains energized when vehicle is turned off
  • A potential safety defect has been identified which could occur within the ABS control unit. The ABS control unit within
  • Fuel may leak

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) cars have aged

How Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%91113151719Age at MOTBuilt around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (2,943 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (2,786 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (2,702 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (2,500 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (2,414 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (3,169 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (3,050 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (2,908 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (2,642 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (2,483 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (2,793 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (2,606 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (2,454 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (2,214 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (1,973 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (810 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (676 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (606 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (491 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (389 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (1,080 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (939 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (799 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (663 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (478 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (1,619 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (1,390 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.8% (1,114 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (880 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (669 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (1,948 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (1,611 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (1,248 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.8% (908 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (666 tests, 2025 data)2006
First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Hyundai Santa Fes of this age

This list covers every Hyundai Santa Fe built around 2012, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk2 (CM) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    26.5%
    Advisory: 1,331Fail: 421 (24% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    25.4%
    Advisory: 1,570Fail: 147 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    17.5%
    Advisory: 1,459Fail: 27 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    15.6%
    Advisory: 928Fail: 98 (10% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    15.2%
    Advisory: 1,063Fail: 90 (8% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,361 tests

Looking at a Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk2 (CM) (2006-2012) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,361 13-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 16,661 MOT tests on Hyundai Santa Fes first registered between 2006-2012. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.