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Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) (2013-2018) reliability

At a glance

Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) right now?

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

Key figure

16% of MOT tests on Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2013-2018SUVDIESEL

Based on 17,300 tests of Santa Fe models registered 2013-2018.

About 1 in 30 Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) MOTs (3.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 946 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 2.2% and 4.5%. 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 15 Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) MOTs (6.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 946 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 4.8% and 7.8%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk3 (DM) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
94615.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
4,51117.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
4,33019.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3,75822.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,67325.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,08230.0%

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 Mk3 (DM) compares

At each age below, see how the Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 98,626 tests across 10 Hyundai models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHyundai average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
94615.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
4,51117.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
4,33019.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3,75822.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,67325.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,08230.0%

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 pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

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 Mk3 (DM).

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 15.6% for the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM), both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 15.6% for the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM), both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 15.6% for the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM), both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 8.7%, against 15.6% for the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM), both built around 2018.

    4,936 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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 Mk3 (DM) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Curtain air bag may not inflate correctly if deployed
  • A potential safety defect has been identified which could occur within the ABS control unit. The ABS control unit within
  • The ABS control unit within the affected VIN range could experience an electrical short

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

How Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) cars have aged

How Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) 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%357911Age at MOTBuilt around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.9% (1,780 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (1,710 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (1,602 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.2% (1,549 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (1,501 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (2,391 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (2,323 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (2,244 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (2,238 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (2,235 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (3,216 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (3,177 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (3,102 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (3,015 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 18.9% (2,967 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (2,463 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (2,444 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (2,386 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 19.7% (2,391 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 19.7% (2,323 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (2,001 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 22.4% (1,945 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (1,938 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (1,898 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (1,885 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 26.6% (1,152 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 27.1% (1,153 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (1,129 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (1,079 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (1,082 tests, 2025 data)2013
First registered around 2018First registered around 2017First registered around 2016First registered around 2015
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 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk3 (DM) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    20.6%
    Advisory: 775Fail: 47 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    14.8%
    Advisory: 436Fail: 72 (14% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.9%
    Advisory: 224Fail: 54 (19% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    7.2%
    Advisory: 230Fail: 8 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    5.2%
    Advisory: 177Fail: 22 (11% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,447 tests

Looking at a Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (DM) (2013-2018) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 946 7-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 17,300 MOT tests on Hyundai Santa Fes first registered between 2013-2018. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.