Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Hyundai Tucson?

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 2009 Hyundai Tucson?

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 2009 Hyundai Tucson?

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.

How many 2009 Hyundai Tucson vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

45% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,098 vehicles, the 2009 Hyundai Tucson has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Tucson?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Hyundai Tucson are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (51.9% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (46.9% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (44.9% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Hyundai Tucson?

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.

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Hyundai Tucson (2009)

1,098 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.9% first-time pass rate

2009 Hyundai Tucson

CarHunch analysed 1,098 real MOT records for the 2009 Hyundai Tucson. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Hyundai Tucson falls slightly short of the UK average with a 76.9% first-time pass rate, and this is compounded by a serious concern: 44.7% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd expect. Both diesel and petrol versions perform identically at 76.8%, so fuel type won't be your deciding factor here.

These Tucsons are running at 71,221 miles median, which is reasonable for their age, but owners face an average of 3.74 failures and 25.5 advisories per test, suggesting cumulative wear is catching up with the model. If you're considering one, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the brake system and suspension—the dangerous defect rate points to weakness in safety-critical areas.

The 2009 Hyundai Tucson has a decent first-time pass rate (76.9%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

76.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

44.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.74

Over 15.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

71k

Middle half: 56k–86k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 25.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,098 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,098 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 51.9%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 42.8%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 33.9%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,098 Hyundai Tucson cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Hyundai Tucson

Based on MOT data from 1,098 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 44.7% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (79%)	865	76.8%	3.74
Petrol (21%)	231	76.9%	3.76

Colour Breakdown

Based on 130,344 Hyundai Tucson vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Grey 22.8%

29,729

Black 20.8%

27,119

Blue 18.1%

23,614

White 16.5%

21,444

Silver 10.5%

13,676

Red 5.9%

7,671

Beige 4.5%

5,862

Bronze 0.5%

613

Green 0.2%

300

Gold 0.2%

285

Brown 0%

Maroon 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Hyundai Tucson 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.

71,221

typical

56,451

low mileage

86,121

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Hyundai Tucson vehicles fall between 56,451 and 86,121 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 56,451 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.

✓ 56,451–86,121 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Hyundai Tucsons sit.

⚠ Over 116,263 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Hyundai Tucson — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 46% of 2009 Hyundai Tucsons are still active.

Numbers are declining — 486 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (46% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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

15.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.74

Avg failures per vehicle

25.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Hyundai Tucson: All Tucson years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

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Watch for defects — worth knowing