2016 Hyundai Santa FE 2.2L Diesel · FP66 FUH

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance history indicates a worsening trend regarding deferred attention to consumable components. While the most recent test in December 2025 at 117,844 miles passed, the tester flagged both front tyres worn to the legal limit and a binding offside rear service brake. This follows a recurring pattern where issues are ignored until they reach a critical threshold, suggesting the previous owner responds only to MOT-specific requirements rather than performing preventative maintenance. The Santa Fe has covered 117,844 miles over its ten-year life, averaging approximately 11,800 miles per year, which aligns with typical usage for a diesel of this class. There is a significant jump in usage noted between January 2024 and January 2025, where the vehicle covered 16,293 miles in a single year. This period of higher mileage likely accelerated the wear observed on the suspension and braking system, evidenced by the repeated failures of ball joints and brake pads during that interval. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension, as the nearside front arm ball joint showed persistent play in both January 2024 and January 2025. The failure to rectify this component between tests suggests a potential lack of mechanical follow-through. Furthermore, the binding offside rear brake noted in the December 2025 test requires immediate investigation for a seized caliper or worn slider pins, which could lead to uneven drum wear or heat damage. The record also shows a history of uneven tyre wear across multiple axles, which often points to alignment issues or worn suspension bushes. Given that the inner edges were flagged for premature wear in early 2024, the buyer should verify the current geometry of the vehicle. While the vehicle has passed its inspections, the recurring nature of the brake and suspension defects indicates that the next owner will likely face immediate expenditure costs to ensure long-term mechanical reliability.