CarCostCheck

HYUNDAI SANTA FE (2018)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 3,459 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,487

£124/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Diesel

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1487/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Diesel2000cc8 years old3,459 tests52k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2000cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£1,487
Per month£124/mo
Per week£29/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

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the HYUNDAI brand average of 83%.

At 8 years old, 90% of HYUNDAI SANTA FEs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,459 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 52,064 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars350th of 649(top 54%)
Rank among HYUNDAI models157th of 417(top 38%)
vs national average+8%(82% avg)
vs 2018 cars average+1%(89% avg)
vs HYUNDAI average+7%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

52,064

Average miles

vs

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 52,064 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2018 sits between the two at 90%.

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 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

The 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE is a family car with a 2000cc diesel engine. 3,459 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 52,064 miles at 8 years old, HYUNDAI SANTA FE owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Fuel Costs

The 2000cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,487 124/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
HYUNDAI SANTA FE(2018)90%£1037£195Grp 18-32£1487
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2017)91%£905£190Grp 12-25£1350-£137
FORD TRANSIT(2017)81%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1632+£145
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2018)84%£905£190Grp 12-25£1500+£13
AUDI A3(2016)90%£905£135Grp 12-25£1295-£192

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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