2009 Hyundai Tucson — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,636 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Hyundai Tucson, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 73.5% was in line with the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (73.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.1% in the 150k+ group versus 12.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.5% | 673 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 572 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 549 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.9% | 229 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 215 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.3% | 200 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 280 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 269 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 264 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 235 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 203 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 190 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.4% | 1,690 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.1% | 1,579 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.3% | 1,266 |
| 4 | Steering | 14.6% | 678 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.2% | 612 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 599 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 55 | 12.7% |
| 30-60k | 493 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,378 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,677 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 783 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 247 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,589 | 26.4% |
| Petrol | 1,047 | 26.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,191 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 1,084 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 900 | 24.3% |
| 2024 | 818 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 643 | 27.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Tucson
Before buying a 2009 Hyundai Tucson, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.5% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (14.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (12.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2009 Hyundai Tucsons pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 4,636 2009 Hyundai Tucson MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Hyundai Tucson?
Suspension, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by brakes (12.3%).
Does the 2009 Tucson get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.7% in the 0-30k band to 27.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,636 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.