CarCostCheck

HYUNDAI SANTA FE (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 254 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,777

£231/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2351cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2777/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol2351cc24 years old254 tests114k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2351cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2351cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,777
Per month£231/mo
Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the HYUNDAI brand average of 83%.

At 24 years old, 69% of HYUNDAI SANTA FEs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 254 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 114,308 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars307th of 403(top 76%)
Rank among HYUNDAI models363th of 417(top 87%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-4%(73% avg)
vs HYUNDAI average-14%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

114,308

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 114,308 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 61%. The 2002 sits between the two at 69%.

HYUNDAI SANTA FE by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202189%1,00229,234 mi
202094%1,27935,189 mi
201989%2,28543,694 mi
201890%3,45952,064 mi
201788%4,59561,527 mi
201686%7,90767,815 mi
201585%5,70476,900 mi
201479%4,99288,159 mi
201376%2,96395,138 mi
201274%6,090103,389 mi
201172%6,616113,847 mi
201072%6,348118,050 mi
200973%1,368112,515 mi
200872%1,527121,485 mi
200772%2,446126,098 mi
200669%2,452115,781 mi
200569%1,436122,489 mi
200470%1,054119,124 mi
200368%620117,994 mi
200269%254114,308 mi
200161%13899,758 mi

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About the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

The 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE is a large car with a 2351cc petrol engine. 254 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 76% of 2002 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 114,308 miles at 24 years old, HYUNDAI SANTA FE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Fuel Costs

The 2351cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,777 231/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

HYUNDAI SANTA FE Reliability Trend

Newer HYUNDAI SANTA FEs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

At 24 years old, the HYUNDAI SANTA FE is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 24 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 114k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
HYUNDAI SANTA FE(2002)69%£1592£430Grp 25-38£2777
RENAULT CLIO(2004)68%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£560
HONDA CR-V(2004)70%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£760
FORD MONDEO(2004)69%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£560
FIAT DUCATO(2004)75%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£760

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Explore other Hyundai cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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