2016 Hyundai Tucson 1.7L Diesel · SJ16 RLN

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson presents a mixed maintenance picture that warrants caution. The most recent MOT on 11 September 2025 at 106,176 miles failed on three separate items before passing the same day. The tester flagged a cut deep enough to expose the ply or cords on the offside rear inner tyre, a worn nearside rear inner tyre, and rear brake pads wearing thin. Passing on the same date suggests these were rectified promptly, but the nature of the defects indicates the vehicle was presented in substandard condition. The trend is neither clearly improving nor worsening. Two consecutive clean passes in 2023 and 2024 contrast sharply with the 2025 failure, suggesting a lapse in pre-test preparation rather than a long-term decline. The 2023 failure for a nearside front brake pad below 1.5 mm reinforces a pattern of brake components being allowed to reach critical wear before replacement. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable for a vehicle of this age. Between 2023 and 2024, the car covered approximately 10,053 miles, and between 2024 and 2025, roughly 8,444 miles. The annual average sits close to 10,600 miles, which is typical for a family SUV used for regular commuting and longer journeys. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the record that would suggest the vehicle has been standing idle or subjected to unusually heavy use. The odometer readings align cleanly with the test dates, lending credibility to the recorded history. A buyer should pay close attention to the rear braking system and tyre condition during any physical inspection. The 2025 failure identified rear pads at or near minimum thickness, and the nearside rear inner tyre showed edge wear consistent with misalignment or neglected rotation. The offside rear tyre suffered a deep cut capable of causing a sudden deflation, which raises questions about the conditions the vehicle has been driven in and whether kerbed wheels or road debris have caused repeated damage. Inspect the rear calipers for signs of binding, check the disc condition for scoring or lipping, and verify that both rear tyres are matching in brand, size, and tread depth. Beyond the flagged items, the clean passes in 2023 and 2024 provide some reassurance that the core structure and emissions systems have remained sound. Still, a decade-old SUV with over 106,000 miles will naturally show age-related wear on suspension bushes, drop links, and exhaust mounting points. Have a mechanic inspect the underside for corrosion, particularly around the rear subframe and suspension mounting areas common on Tucson models of this generation. The brake wear pattern across two separate failures suggests the previous owner treated consumable replacement reactively rather than preventatively, so a thorough inspection of all four corners is advisable before purchase.