2018 Hyundai Tucson 1.6L Petrol · EJ68 VLA

The 2018 Hyundai Tucson has demonstrated a pattern of recurring MOT advisories throughout its eight-year history, with the most recent test on 2025-10-29 resulting in a pass despite multiple noted deficiencies. The latest assessment recorded child seat fitting limitations preventing full adult belt inspection on both sides, alongside low coolant levels and several tyre-related concerns including cracking on near-side rear tyres and general outer tyre damage. While the vehicle cleared the MOT requirement on that occasion, the persistence of these advisories across consecutive assessments—from 2021 through 2025—indicates systemic issues that have not resolved themselves, creating a picture of intermittent reliability rather than sustained roadworthiness. At 60,834 miles on a 2018 model, the vehicle accumulates approximately 7,600 miles annually, which aligns with expected depreciation and wear patterns for its age. The two-year interval between the 2022 and 2025 MOT tests represents a significant gap in documented maintenance coverage, during which cumulative mileage likely continued to increase. Given the total mileage reached, critical consumable components such as suspension bushings, brake pads, and tyre tread depth would have experienced substantial wear, and the lack of intermediate MOTs may mask emerging mechanical degradation that did not trigger prior failings. The child seat fitting advisory on the nearside rear position requires particular attention during test drives, as the mounting bracket configuration appears to obstruct complete visual inspection of the adult safety belt assembly—a potential indicator of structural stress in the rear subframe that could affect long-term retention of the child restraint system. Coolant level readings consistently showing low levels across 2024 and 2025 suggest either a slow leak or inadequate top-up, and while the 2025 MOT did not list a coolant failure, the recurrence of this issue implies a persistent source that should be verified before purchase. Multiple tyre advisories point to uneven wear patterns, particularly on the near-side rear tyres where cracking and perishing are noted, indicating possible alignment or load distribution problems that would become more pronounced under heavy use. The 2022 MOT recorded worn and pitted condition on both front and rear brake discs, a finding that remains relevant given the vehicle's eight-year lifespan even though two years have elapsed since that assessment; front brake disc deterioration typically manifests as pedal effort changes or vibration when braking hard, while rear disc wear often produces audible squeal or pulsating underload during acceleration. Combined with the tyre damage patterns, buyers should expect to inspect brake pad thickness and rotor surface condition thoroughly, as accumulated wear from the reported disc scoring could indicate thinning brake components that compromise stopping performance. The combination of recurring child seat fitting constraints, coolant management needs, and widespread tyre distress makes this vehicle a candidate requiring immediate professional examination before committing to acquisition.