2016 Hyundai Tucson 2.0L Diesel · FD16 WDJ

The most recent MOT, dated 7 January 2026, resulted in a failure on a major item – the nearside rear passenger door could not be opened from outside the vehicle – and a serious advisory that exhaust fumes were entering the cabin. This represents a clear deterioration from the preceding years, which were all passes with only advisory notes on tyre wear and brake disc condition. The trend therefore moves from a stable, albeit advisory‑laden, history to a concerning decline that must be rectified before the vehicle can be considered roadworthy. At ten years old the Tucson has logged 110,026 miles, averaging just over 11,000 miles per annum. This figure sits squarely within the normal UK usage envelope and does not suggest either excessive short‑trip abuse or long periods of inactivity. The mileage is consistent with the recorded service intervals, but the cumulative distance does mean that wear items such as suspension bushings, engine mounts, and drivetrain components will be approaching the later stages of their service lives and should be inspected for fatigue, looseness or corrosion. The immediate priority is to resolve the door and exhaust issues. Verify that the rear passenger door latch mechanism operates smoothly both from inside and outside; look for worn or corroded latch arms, misaligned hinges or broken striker plates, any of which can cause the door to seize. On a test drive listen for any whistling or metallic clunk that may indicate an exhaust leak, and perform a visual inspection of the exhaust manifold, pipe joints and rear muffler for cracks, rust‑through or missing gaskets, as fumes entering the cabin pose a serious carbon‑monoxide risk. The rear tyres have been flagged repeatedly for being close to the legal limit and for tread perishing; measure tread depth across the width, check for edge wear, sidewall cracking and dry rot, and be prepared to replace both rear tyres if they are below 1.6 mm or show signs of ageing. The brake discs, noted as pitted but not yet weakened, should be examined for scoring depth; if the pitting is moderate the discs may be safe for another 10‑15 000 miles, but any increase in vibration or shudder when applying the brakes would warrant resurfacing or replacement. Given the vehicle’s age, a comprehensive age‑related inspection is advisable even if the major defects are remedied. Inspect the 12‑volt battery for sulphation and confirm it holds charge under load; a battery older than five years often needs replacement. Examine all rubber hoses, coolant pipes and the timing belt or chain for cracking, swelling or leaks, as calendar degradation can cause sudden failure irrespective of mileage. Check the suspension – coil springs, shock absorbers, and all bushings – for signs of sag, oil leakage or excessive play, which can manifest as clunking over bumps. Finally, ensure the service book is up to date, with oil changes and filter replacements recorded at roughly 10 000‑12 000 mile intervals, and verify that the vehicle’s emission control system (catalytic converter, O₂ sensors) shows no signs of blockage or excessive smoke, completing a thorough pre‑purchase appraisal.