CarCostCheck

HYUNDAI SANTA FE (2021)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,002 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,845

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2199cc Diesel

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £1845/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Diesel2199cc5 years old1,002 tests29k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2199cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,845
Per month£154/mo
Per week£35/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the HYUNDAI brand average of 83%.

At 5 years old, 89% of HYUNDAI SANTA FEs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,002 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 29,234 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars2675th of 3,373(top 79%)
Rank among HYUNDAI models185th of 417(top 44%)
vs national average+7%(82% avg)
vs 2021 cars average-3%(92% avg)
vs HYUNDAI average+6%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

29,234

Average miles

vs

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 29,234 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 2021 sits between the two at 89%.

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 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

The 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE is a family car with a 2199cc diesel engine. 1,002 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 79% of 2021 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 29,234 miles at 5 years old, HYUNDAI SANTA FE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Fuel Costs

The 2199cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 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 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,845 154/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

At 5 years old, the HYUNDAI SANTA FE offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 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

Medium risk

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

Low risk

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

Dual Mass Flywheel

Medium risk

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

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 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
HYUNDAI SANTA FE(2021)89%£1245£195Grp 25-38£1845
FORD KUGA(2019)91%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1482-£363
FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM(2019)87%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1632-£213
BMW 118(2020)93%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1482-£363
VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC(2019)94%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1482-£363

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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