2016 Hyundai Tucson 1.7L Diesel · ST66 SCT

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson presents a mechanical profile defined by recurring brake and tyre advisories that span nearly a decade of ownership, with the latest MOT on 2026-02-27 confirming a clean pass despite a troubled interim period. After a failed assessment on 2024-02-28 that flagged critically thin brake pads on both front and rear sides—measuring below the 1.5mm danger threshold—the vehicle returned to successful testing by mid-2025 and again in early 2026. While the most recent result shows no active defects, the sequence of failures and near-miss measurements indicates that the brake system has experienced progressive degradation that warrants careful verification even after a positive reassessment. At 76,068 miles on a ten-year-old chassis, the vehicle accumulates approximately 7,600 miles per annum, a rate consistent with moderate daily use rather than extreme mileage. The twelve-month gap between the failed 2024-02-28 assessment and the subsequent passed result on 2025-02-28 provides little opportunity for monitoring progress, meaning the brake pad thinning could have continued unchecked during that interval. The 2020 crack in rear tyres coupled with repeated edge-wear warnings on all four tyres throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s suggests cumulative exposure to rough roads and possibly inadequate tyre rotation or alignment care, both of which compound the original brake concerns into a broader reliability picture that extends beyond raw mileage alone. The front brake pads measured under 1.5mm thickness in the 2024 failed MOT, representing a serious safety deficiency that must be addressed before any confidence in stopping performance can be placed in the vehicle. During a test drive, apply steady pressure to the accelerator while braking gently to assess pedal firmness; a soft or spongy feel would confirm compromised hydraulic function or pad material failure. Inspect the front brake discs for any scoring or excessive surface wear given the earlier note about rear disc pitting, and pay particular attention to the rear lower shock absorber bush, which showed slight wear in the 2025-02-28 assessment and may contribute to uneven load transfer or reduced damping in the rear suspension. Tyre health remains a secondary but important consideration, as the multiple edge-wear advisories across 2024 and 2025 point to either aggressive cornering loads or alignment drift that should be confirmed visually and by feel during a test drive. Listen for any grinding or squealing noises when navigating corners, and examine the contact patches for irregular wear patterns that could indicate camber or toe misalignment. Finally, verify the condition of the subframe and mounting points, particularly around the rear shock absorber attachment area, as rust or fatigue cracking in these structural components can sometimes go unnoticed until they compromise suspension geometry under stress. These checks will determine whether the vehicle's current state reflects adequate maintenance or requires substantial repair work before it becomes a safe daily driver.