Hyundai

Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI (2012)

211 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.2% first-time pass rate

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI

CarHunch analysed 211 real MOT records for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page
AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI passes its MOT on the first attempt only 72.9% of the time, notably below the UK average of 80%, suggesting this generation has more consistent issues than typical. The good news is that dangerous defects are virtually non-existent in this cohort at 0%, so when things do fail, they're typically repairable rather than safety-critical.

With 106,000 miles as the median, these vehicles have done standard mileage for their age, yet still average 1.12 failures per test—pointing to wear-related or design vulnerabilities rather than owner neglect. Before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on the cooling system and suspension components, as these are the likely culprits behind the elevated failure rate.

We have limited data for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass
83.2%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
0%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.12
Over 6 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
106k
Middle half: 88k–123k
For context

These stats describe 211 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 211 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI

Based on MOT data from 211 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (99%) 208 83.4% 1.09

Colour Breakdown

Based on 874 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 28.4%
248
Black 24.9%
218
White 21.9%
191
Blue 10.4%
91
Grey 10.3%
90
Red 1.8%
16
Brown 1.5%
13
Orange 0.8%
7

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

106,205
typical
88,003
low mileage
122,685
high mileage

Half of all 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI vehicles fall between 88,003 and 122,685 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 88,003 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
88,003–122,685 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDIs sit.
Over 165,624 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI — Still on the Road

Most 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDIs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 126 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 81% of the peak.

81 126 2017 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.12
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI: All Santa Fe Premium CRDI years → Which year to buy? →
2010 2011 2013 2014 2015

Or browse all models: Hyundai →

Hyundai logo

Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Premium CRDI stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?