Is the Hyundai Tucson reliable?
The Hyundai Tucson has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.7%, from 424,074 tests on cars dating from 2005 to 2023. All cars together manage 71.7%. Once age is allowed for, the Tucson is about average: within 1 point of a typical car tested at the same age. The cleanest measure of build quality is the first test at three years old, where the Tucson scores 88.2% against 87.9% for all cars. Top of the failure list: wipers not clearing the screen, on 18.1% of failed tests.
What fails a Hyundai Tucson at its MOT
The Tucson's failures cluster around visibility and brakes: wipers not clearing the screen on 18.1% of fails, brake pads worn below 1.5mm on 16%. Percentages can add to more than 100 because one failed test often records several defects.
A wiper that smears is a fail. Blades cost less than the retest, so change them in the week before.
Warning signs on the certificate
These are the advisories most often recorded on a Hyundai Tucson: items that passed on the day but were wearing. Tyre tread below the legal minimum is noted on 14.2% of all tests. If one of these is on a car's last certificate, it is the next repair. Nationally, an advisory on lights becomes a failure 36.1% of the time.
Tucson pass rate by fuel
The hybrid Tucson has the better record at 89%; the diesel manages 79.2%. 9.8 points is a real difference. Allow for the hybrid fleet being younger.
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 83.5% | 218,057 |
| Diesel | 79.2% | 147,928 |
| Hybrid | 89% | 56,412 |
Every Tucson year, 2005 to 2023
Pass rates run from 53% for 2005 cars to 91.7% for 2023 cars. Most of that spread is age: a car tested at ten years old has had far more chances to wear something out than one tested at four.
| First used | Pass rate | Tests | Miles a year | First MOT pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Tucson 2023 | 91.7% | 1,718 | 16,364 | – |
| Hyundai Tucson 2022 | 89.6% | 28,718 | 9,323 | 89.4% |
| Hyundai Tucson 2021 | 88.8% | 42,926 | 8,656 | 87.9% |
| Hyundai Tucson 2020 | 84.9% | 39,059 | 7,911 | 86% |
| Hyundai Tucson 2019 | 84.8% | 79,448 | 7,589 | – |
| Hyundai Tucson 2018 | 83.6% | 73,686 | 7,766 | – |
| Hyundai Tucson 2017 | 81.1% | 71,035 | 8,254 | – |
| Hyundai Tucson 2016 | 79.4% | 60,292 | 8,340 | – |
| Hyundai Tucson 2015 | 75.6% | 14,297 | 8,197 | – |
| Hyundai Tucson 2009 | 58.8% | 1,819 | 6,728 | – |
| Hyundai Tucson 2008 | 56.2% | 1,704 | 6,623 | – |
| Hyundai Tucson 2007 | 53.5% | 2,808 | 6,545 | – |
| Hyundai Tucson 2006 | 50.6% | 3,459 | 6,170 | – |
| Hyundai Tucson 2005 | 53% | 3,105 | 5,738 | – |
How mileage changes the Tucson's odds
Take the 2019 Tucson, the year with the most tests: cars with under 40,000 miles on the clock pass 86.9% of the time, and that falls to 74.3% over 100,000. A 13-point drop across the mileage range is a bigger effect than the difference between most makes.
| Mileage at test (2019 cars) | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 86.9% | 48,222 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 82.4% | 23,821 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.8% | 5,919 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 77.4% | 1,167 |
| Over 100,000 | 74.3% | 319 |
Compared with other cars
The average Hyundai passes 73.5% of tests, so the Tucson is one of the stronger cars in the range. Within the family, see i10 common problems (73.1%), Hyundai i20 MOT pass rate (72.9%), i30 common problems (65.1%) and Kona common problems (87.2%), or every Hyundai model compared. For a cross-make comparison, the Renault Captur and Toyota Prius have similar test volumes and their own pages. The full reliability table puts them side by side, and the statistics for all 98 million tests give the baseline.
Failure lists and mileage by year
Each year opens to show its own failure list and pass rate by mileage.
Hyundai Tucson 2023 91.7% pass 1,718 tests
On a 2023 Hyundai Tucson, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 40.6% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 13.3%.
2023 cars pass 92.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 75% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 92.3% | 1,351 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 90.1% | 223 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 89.1% | 92 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 90% | 40 |
| Over 100,000 | 75% | 12 |
Hyundai Tucson 2022 89.6% pass 28,718 tests89.4% at first MOT
On a 2022 Hyundai Tucson, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 36.8% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 16.7%.
2022 cars pass 90.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 84.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90.2% | 24,627 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 85.8% | 3,283 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 85.4% | 609 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 90.3% | 134 |
| Over 100,000 | 84.6% | 65 |
By fuel: hybrid 90.7% (18,076 tests), petrol 87.8% (10,640 tests).
Hyundai Tucson 2021 88.8% pass 42,926 tests87.9% at first MOT
On a 2021 Hyundai Tucson, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 34.5% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 13.8%.
2021 cars pass 89.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 80.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.3% | 34,479 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 86.6% | 7,088 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 86.3% | 1,051 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 85.8% | 211 |
| Over 100,000 | 80.4% | 97 |
By fuel: hybrid 89.3% (25,259 tests), petrol 88% (17,585 tests).
Hyundai Tucson 2020 84.9% pass 39,059 tests86% at first MOT
On a 2020 Hyundai Tucson, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 26.9% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 15.7%.
2020 cars pass 86.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 78% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 86.2% | 29,067 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.5% | 8,205 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.8% | 1,497 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 78.8% | 208 |
| Over 100,000 | 78% | 82 |
By fuel: petrol 84.8% (28,721 tests), hybrid 85% (9,973 tests).
Hyundai Tucson 2019 84.8% pass 79,448 tests
On a 2019 Hyundai Tucson, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 23.4% of failed tests, with brake pads worn below 1.5mm next at 19.4%.
2019 cars pass 86.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 74.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 86.9% | 48,222 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 82.4% | 23,821 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.8% | 5,919 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 77.4% | 1,167 |
| Over 100,000 | 74.3% | 319 |
By fuel: petrol 84.6% (71,689 tests), diesel 85.7% (6,010 tests), hybrid 86.9% (1,747 tests).
Hyundai Tucson 2018 83.6% pass 73,686 tests
On a 2018 Hyundai Tucson, brake pads worn below 1.5mm appears on 21.7% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 15.2%.
2018 cars pass 88% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 70% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88% | 29,729 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 82.6% | 28,613 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.4% | 11,438 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 73.3% | 2,873 |
| Over 100,000 | 70% | 1,032 |
By fuel: petrol 83.5% (55,667 tests), diesel 83.9% (18,016 tests).
Hyundai Tucson 2017 81.1% pass 71,035 tests
On a 2017 Hyundai Tucson, brake pads worn below 1.5mm appears on 22.3% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 14.6%.
2017 cars pass 87.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 71.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87.5% | 15,041 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83.1% | 27,074 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 77.6% | 18,737 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 73.6% | 7,140 |
| Over 100,000 | 71.3% | 3,043 |
By fuel: diesel 81.6% (48,987 tests), petrol 80% (22,048 tests).
Hyundai Tucson 2016 79.4% pass 60,292 tests
On a 2016 Hyundai Tucson, brake pads worn below 1.5mm appears on 18.2% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 12.5%.
2016 cars pass 88.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 71.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.7% | 7,072 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 82.4% | 18,608 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.3% | 19,284 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 73.7% | 10,016 |
| Over 100,000 | 71.2% | 5,312 |
By fuel: diesel 79.9% (52,132 tests), petrol 76.3% (8,157 tests).
Hyundai Tucson 2015 75.6% pass 14,297 tests
On a 2015 Hyundai Tucson, parking brake efficiency below the limit appears on 16.5% of failed tests, with brake pads worn below 1.5mm next at 14.9%.
2015 cars pass 85.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 69.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 85.4% | 987 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81% | 3,387 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 75.8% | 4,732 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 70.5% | 3,298 |
| Over 100,000 | 69.4% | 1,893 |
By fuel: diesel 75.5% (13,458 tests), petrol 77.7% (839 tests).
Hyundai Tucson 2009 58.8% pass 1,819 tests
On a 2009 Hyundai Tucson, a worn ball joint appears on 18.4% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 16.4%.
2009 cars pass 79.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 53.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 79.2% | 48 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 77.9% | 154 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 63.9% | 291 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 56.6% | 438 |
| Over 100,000 | 53.7% | 886 |
Hyundai Tucson 2008 56.2% pass 1,704 tests
On a 2008 Hyundai Tucson, a sidelight not working appears on 15.9% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 13.7%.
2008 cars pass 86.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 51% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 86.4% | 22 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 72.6% | 95 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 66.7% | 246 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 56.8% | 366 |
| Over 100,000 | 51% | 975 |
Hyundai Tucson 2007 53.5% pass 2,808 tests
On a 2007 Hyundai Tucson, a sidelight not working appears on 16.2% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 14.2%.
2007 cars pass 85.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 50.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 85.7% | 35 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 73.4% | 94 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 57.5% | 362 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 54.1% | 586 |
| Over 100,000 | 50.7% | 1,730 |
By fuel: diesel 55.2% (2,095 tests), petrol 48.4% (713 tests).
Hyundai Tucson 2006 50.6% pass 3,459 tests
On a 2006 Hyundai Tucson, a number plate light not working appears on 15.3% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 14.1%.
2006 cars pass 83.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 46.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 83.3% | 36 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 68.9% | 151 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 57.4% | 423 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 53.3% | 703 |
| Over 100,000 | 46.6% | 2,146 |
By fuel: diesel 52% (2,242 tests), petrol 48% (1,214 tests).
Hyundai Tucson 2005 53% pass 3,105 tests
On a 2005 Hyundai Tucson, a number plate light not working appears on 15.4% of failed tests, with a worn ball joint next at 13.9%.
2005 cars pass 85.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 49.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 85.4% | 41 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 68.8% | 218 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 57.8% | 329 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 53.5% | 678 |
| Over 100,000 | 49.4% | 1,839 |
By fuel: diesel 53.3% (2,316 tests), petrol 52.3% (784 tests).
Questions people ask
How reliable is the Hyundai Tucson?
On MOT evidence the Hyundai Tucson is about average. It passes 82.7% of tests against 71.7% for all cars, and beats cars of the same age by 1 points. 88.2% pass their first MOT at three years old. Figures from 424,074 DVSA tests.
What fails a Hyundai Tucson MOT most often?
Wipers not clearing the screen (18.1% of failed tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (16%) and tyre tread below the legal minimum (13.1%). A wiper that smears is a fail. Blades cost less than the retest, so change them in the week before.
What is the best year for a used Hyundai Tucson?
Among years with a large sample, 2022 cars have the highest pass rate at 89.6% and 2015 cars the lowest at 75.6%. Newer years pass more because they are younger, so compare a specific car's year against the table above rather than against the overall figure.
What advisories does a Hyundai Tucson usually get?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum is the most frequent, noted on 14.2% of all Tucson tests, then brake pads worn below 1.5mm (11.5%). An advisory passes the car today but marks the item most likely to fail next year.
How many miles a year does a Hyundai Tucson do?
About 8,109 miles a year on average, calculated from the odometer readings recorded at consecutive MOTs. That is close to the UK average of roughly 7,400.
Does the Hyundai Tucson pass rate apply to my car?
The figures describe the whole fleet. For one car, enter its registration in the free MOT check to see its own test history, advisories and mileage, set against these averages for its year.
Looking at a specific Hyundai Tucson?
Enter the registration to see its own MOT history, advisories and mileage set against these figures, including whether it has done more or fewer than the 8,109 miles a year typical of the model.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 to 2025. Class 4 cars, normal tests only; a pass after rectification counts as an initial failure. Age-adjusted figures compare the model's pass rate at each age with the national rate at the same age. Methodology.