2009 Hyundai Santa FE 2.2L Diesel · EA59 XUH

The vehicle remains roadworthy as of its most recent MOT on 2025-11-06, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. The 2025 failure just one day prior revealed multiple critical structural and braking issues — including excessively worn suspension ball joints, corroding coil springs, and rear brake pads below legal thickness — all of which were not present in the 2023 pass. While the 2025 test allowed a pass after repairs, the recurrence of suspension and brake wear suggests ongoing neglect or insufficient remediation, raising concerns about long-term reliability. Mileage progression shows a steady annual average of roughly 6,879 miles over 17 years, which is within normal expectations for a vehicle of this age. The jump from 105,442 miles in September 2024 to 116,935 miles in November 2025 reflects a typical 11,500-mile year, with no sudden spikes or gaps that would indicate misuse or irregular usage. The consistency in mileage growth supports the view that the car has been driven regularly, but not excessively, which aligns with the wear patterns observed in the MOTs. Buyers should prioritize a thorough mechanical inspection of the front and rear suspension systems, particularly the lower ball joints and coil springs, which were flagged as excessively worn and corroded in back-to-back tests. The front brake discs and pads, along with the rear brake pads below 1.5mm, indicate a need for full brake system replacement, not just servicing. Corrosion on the exhaust and rear suspension components suggests potential structural degradation that may require immediate attention to avoid future failure. The windscreen wiper failure in 2025 also points to a simple fix, but the repeated tyre wear in 2022 and 2024 implies inconsistent wheel alignment or rotation, which should be verified. The vehicle’s history reveals a pattern of deferred maintenance, especially in suspension and braking systems, which are safety-critical. While the 2025 pass confirms it met minimum legal standards, the proximity of the failure and the nature of the defects suggest the car is operating near the edge of acceptable condition. A buyer should not assume the repairs were comprehensive — the same components failed again in the same test cycle — and should budget for immediate suspension and brake overhaul to ensure long-term safety and reliability.