MOT failure data · 2025
Hyundai Santa MOT problems
Across every Hyundai Santa that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was ball joint ball joint excessively worn, on 6.65% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 22.96%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Hyundai Santa MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 6.65% |
| 2 | Position lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.28% |
| 3 | Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis, structure | 4.65% |
| 4 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 4.65% |
| 5 | Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 4.4% |
| 6 | Track rod end ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 4.39% |
| 7 | Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 3.28% |
| 8 | Condition has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 3.13% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.96% |
| 10 | Linkage ball joints ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 2.76% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Hyundai Santa, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Hyundai Santa buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Hyundai Santa?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Hyundai models
- Hyundai I10 MOT problems
- Hyundai Tucson MOT problems
- Hyundai I20 MOT problems
- Hyundai I30 MOT problems
- Hyundai Kona MOT problems
- Hyundai Ioniq MOT problems
Hyundai Santa MOT FAQs
What does a Hyundai Santa most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Hyundai Santa cars failing their 2025 MOT was "ball joint ball joint excessively worn", appearing on 6.65% of failure items.
Does this mean my Hyundai Santa will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Hyundai Santa that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Hyundai Santa passed 73.25% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Hyundai Santa's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Hyundai Santa MOT pass rate · used Hyundai Santa buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.