Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td reliable?

Based on MOT data from 109 vehicles, the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Hyundai Santa Fe Td (2004)

109 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.8% first-time pass rate

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td

CarHunch analysed 109 real MOT records for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td. 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe TD is significantly less reliable than the UK average, with only 54.2% passing MOT first time against the national benchmark of 80%. At nearly 140,000 miles on the clock, these vehicles are well-worn, and that mileage context goes some way to explaining why they're failing—the 0.82 average failures per vehicle suggest wear-related issues rather than design faults.

If you're considering one, factor in repair costs before purchase; the complete absence of dangerous defects is reassuring from a safety standpoint, but the high failure rate means you'll likely face remedial work to pass the next test. Get a pre-purchase inspection and budget for suspension, exhaust, or brake work typical of high-mileage diesel SUVs of this age.

We have limited data for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

74.8%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.82

Over 3 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

139k

Middle half: 119k–160k

For context

These stats describe 109 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 109 Hyundai Santa Fe Td cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td

Based on MOT data from 109 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 →
📄 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 Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td 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.

139,099

typical

119,053

low mileage

160,061

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td vehicles fall between 119,053 and 160,061 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 119,053 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.

✓ 119,053–160,061 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Tds sit.

⚠ Over 216,082 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 23% of 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Tds are still active.

Numbers are declining — 15 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (23% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2023.
* 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.82

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Td stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on