2004 Hyundai Santa FE 2.0L Diesel · LF04 EVP

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a concerning trend of deferred repairs and recurring mechanical wear. While the most recent test in January 2026 at 173,679 miles was a pass, it followed a failure just four days prior. This failure highlighted critical issues including a split CV boot, an excessively worn ball joint, and incorrect headlamp aim. The persistence of worn rear suspension arm bushes across multiple years suggests that components are only addressed when they approach a failure point rather than as a preventative measure. At 22 years old, the mileage of 173,679 miles represents an average of approximately 7,900 miles per year, which is consistent with a vehicle of this age. The data shows steady usage patterns, notably with roughly 7,400 miles covered between the January 2025 and January 2026 tests. However, the consistent accumulation of miles has led to significant degradation of rubber-based suspension components, as evidenced by the repeated flagging of bushes and ball joints over the last three years. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the rear suspension geometry, as the nearside and offside rear arm bushes have appeared in nearly every test since 2024. The tester also noted a minor exhaust leak and pitted rear brake discs in the January 2026 pass, which indicates the beginning of a component replacement cycle. The history of a leaking central fuel pipe in 2025 also necessitates a close check of the fuel lines for further signs of corrosion or degradation. Given the age and mileage, the structural integrity of the chassis and the condition of the steering rack ends should be prioritized to ensure no hidden fatigue has developed.