2016 Hyundai Tucson 1.6L Petrol · SC16 UNV

A pattern of suspension wear and tyre edge wear emerges as the defining mechanical concern in the MOT history of this 2016 Hyundai Tucson, with the most recent test on 18 September 2025 passing but raising five advisories, all clustered around the front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints and the front and nearside rear tyres. The pairing of advisories against both offside and nearside front anti-roll bar ball joints suggests the wear is bilateral rather than impact-related, pointing to general degradation of the anti-roll bar assembly, a known wear item on Tucson models of this generation. The earlier 2024 test history also warrants attention: although the vehicle subsequently passed an MOT on the same date (26 September 2024), a failure was recorded on the same day for parking brake efficiency below requirements and the offside parking brake being inoperative on one side, indicating a specific rear brake or handbrake mechanism issue that was addressed before the pass was issued. The remaining tests between 2020 and 2023 recorded no defects at all, so the 2024 parking brake issue and the cluster of 2025 advisories represent a clear shift from a previously clean record to one showing emerging wear items as the vehicle enters its tenth year. With 71,544 miles recorded over roughly ten years, this Tucson has covered approximately 7,150 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a vehicle of its age. The testing frequency is consistent and there are no significant gaps in the MOT record, suggesting the car has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended periods, which reduces the likelihood of dormant issues such as seized brake calipers, deteriorated rubber components, or 12V battery degradation from prolonged standing. The mileage progression between tests is steady, with no anomalous jumps or unusually low annual figures that might suggest clocking or extended off-road storage. For a ten-year-old SUV with average mileage, the wear now appearing on suspension linkages and tyres is consistent with the mechanical expectations of a vehicle reaching the middle of its service life, where rubber bushings, ball joints, and tyres begin to demand closer attention. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front anti-roll bar system during any inspection, as the advisories explicitly note slight play in both ball joints with the offside joint described as close to excessive play. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises from the front suspension over uneven road surfaces, particularly when traversing speed bumps or potholes, and feel for any vagueness or delay in steering response that can accompany worn anti-roll bar linkages. Visually inspect the anti-roll bar drop links and their rubber boots for cracking, perishing, or visible movement when the wheel is manually rocked with the vehicle raised. The 2024 parking brake failure should also be investigated by confirming that the handbrake now holds the vehicle firmly on an incline with minimal travel, and by checking that the rear brake calipers are not binding or seized, as the offside parking brake being inoperative on one side can sometimes recur if the caliper mechanism or cable adjustment was not fully resolved. The tyre-related advisories on the 2025 test covering all three front positions and the nearside rear indicate uneven or accelerated wear across the axle, which on a Tucson of this era is often linked to front suspension geometry, alignment settings, or worn lower arm or trailing arm bushes that alter camber angles. During a test drive, monitor for steering pull to either side under braking or steady cruising, excessive vibration through the steering at motorway speeds, and any feeling of instability through corners that could indicate worn compliance bushes or alignment drift. Inspect the inner and outer edges of all four tyres for uneven wear patterns, as inner-edge wear specifically can point to suspension component wear rather than simply ageing rubber. Before purchase, it would be prudent to budget for a full set of replacement tyres, a pair of front anti-roll bar drop links, and a four-wheel alignment, with a thorough inspection of all suspension and steering components to confirm that the advisories recorded do not mask more extensive wear within the front strut assemblies or rear axle bushings.