The NCT record
Hyundai Santa Fe
SUV / jeep. Measured from 56,040 NCT tests in Ireland.
Reliability · measured from test data
Reliability: Well below average
One of the least reliable cars for its age. We'd look at alternatives first.
NCT pass rate: 39% (Well below average for its age)
39 in 100 pass the NCT first time at ten years old. Mechanical faults: 1.70× the average car of the same age.
Version research
Known problems for this version
Based on published reliability sources and recall notices, not NCT data. Answer what you know and the verdict gets firmer.
Checking published reliability sources…
How it holds up with age
More than half still pass first time up to 7 years old — a 2019 or newer is the oldest we would suggest.
| Year | Age | Passes first time | Average car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 73% | 82% |
| 2021 | 5 | 67% | 76% |
| 2020 | 6 | 62% | 75% |
| 2019 | 7 | 57% | 67% |
| 2018 | 8 | 48% | 64% |
| 2017 | 9 | 42% | 57% |
| 2016 | 10 | 39% | 53% |
| 2015 | 11 | 35% | 50% |
| 2014 | 12 | 33% | 46% |
| 2013 | 13 | 32% | 42% |
| 2012 | 14 | 28% | 38% |
| 2011 | 15 | 25% | 36% |
| 2010 | 16 | 26% | 35% |
What tends to fail on it
Wheel alignment (side-slip)
wheel alignment, steering pulling, uneven front tyre wear
€40–70 for alignment, or the worn part causing it — up to €400 at worst.
Engine, noise & exhaust
smoke on start-up, exhaust leaks and corrosion, engine noise
€100–400 for an exhaust section, or worse — up to €1,000 at worst.
Steering & suspension
worn ball joints, track rod ends, shock absorbers, bushings
€100–600 for joints, bearings and arms — up to €900 at worst.
Brake performance
braking imbalance side to side, sticking calipers, fluid condition
€100–400 for pads, or a seized caliper — up to €680 at worst.
What the repairs cost
€80–145 in NCT-related repairs is typical for a car this age. It is a figure for comparing models, not a quote.
Irish garage prices for the common jobs are on the repair costs page.
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Other suv / jeep options
- ENissan Qashqai(Well below average)
- DKia Sportage(Below average)
- AToyota RAV 4(Well above average)
- CVolkswagen Tiguan(About average)
- DPeugeot 3008(Below average)
- CFord Kuga(About average)
Other Hyundai models
- DHyundai i30(Below average)
- DHyundai Tucson(Below average)
- DHyundai IX35(Below average)
- CHyundai i20(About average)
- DHyundai i40(Below average)
- CHyundai i10(About average)
See every model we have measured
Where these figures come from
Test and failure figures: National Car Test statistics published by the Road Safety Authority and the National Car Testing Service, 12.5 million tests, 2015 and 2017–2025. Repair prices: Irish garage quotes and The AA Ireland servicing guides, reviewed September 2026 — see our repair cost guide. Motor tax bands: motortax.ie.
Based on published NCT results and typical Irish repair prices for this model and age. It reflects the condition of cars presented for test, not manufacturer build quality, and cannot tell you about a specific vehicle's history. Repair figures are estimates, not quotes.