Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota C-HR: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota C-HR does better at its MOT: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 3.2 percentage points ahead of the Hyundai Tucson on first-time MOT passes. That comparison covers 27,875 real tests across every generation on the road, not a survey. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict; the common faults below cover the rest.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Hyundai Tucson

Pass rate85.3%

Age-matched national85.2%

Difference0.0

Tests17,402

Toyota C-HR

Pass rate90.6%

Age-matched national87.3%

Difference+3.2

Tests10,473

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Hyundai Tucson	85.3%	85.2%	0.0	17,402
Toyota C-HR	90.6%	87.3%	+3.2	10,473

These figures count every generation still on the road, not only the one described below: mostly Hyundai Tucsons registered 2015–2022 and Toyota C-HRs registered 2017–2022.

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. The difference is worked out before rounding, so it can be 0.1 away from the two rounded figures beside it.

Hyundai Tucson

NX4, 2020+ · compact crossover SUV

The NX4 Hyundai Tucson (2020+) is a fixture of the UK's top ten best-sellers and broadly reliable. Concerns: 1.6 T-GDI smart-stream engine had early oil-consumption claims (largely settled), PHEV battery cooling pump issues, and pre-2023 infotainment freezes. Long warranty mitigates most risk. Best-buy: 2023+. Worst: no single year stands out on DVSA MOT results.

What goes wrong

Safety recall R/2024/489recall
The subject vehicles may experience a loss of brake assistance and brake performance may e reduced. The foot brake will still operate but in a manner of a vehicle without a functioning brake booster (less assistance)
3,225 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 12 September 2022 and 7 September 2023
Smaller recall — 3,225 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
1.6 T-GDI smart-stream oil consumptionmoderate
Oil level drops between services; rough idle; rare warning
2020–2022 1.6 T-GDI · Often goodwill from Hyundai UK under 5-yr warranty; out-of-warranty engine rebuild £3,500+
Check: Dipstick at viewing. Service history: any oil top-ups recorded? Hyundai goodwill claim history.
PHEV battery cooling pumpmajor
"Hybrid system" warning; battery thermal management warning; reduced EV range
2021–2022 PHEV (Hyundai UK launched the Tucson plug-in hybrid in March 2021) · Under warranty within 5 years; out of warranty £1,200+
Check: PHEV battery health check at Hyundai dealer (£30–£50). Compare the EV-only range the car shows on a full charge with the official WLTP electric range for that model: a large shortfall on a mild day suggests the battery has degraded.
Infotainment freezesminor
Screen unresponsive; CarPlay drops; reboot needed
2020–2022 · Free under software update at Hyundai dealer
Check: Software version on test drive — should be post-2023 update.

Typical asking price:: £10,290–£19,995, median £11,995 (middle 80% and median, cars on Autoza on 29 October 2026)
Fuel economy:: 38–44 mpg for 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 42–49 mpg
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
Best years:: 2023, 2024

Used Hyundai Tucsons for sale Full Tucson fault guide Used Hyundais

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Toyota C-HR

Mk1 (2016–2023) · B/C crossover SUV with a distinctive coupe-SUV styling. Launched in the UK in late 2016 with a 1.2-litre turbo petrol and the 1.8 Hybrid (122 PS); the 2.0 Hybrid (184 PS) arrived in 2020 and the line-up later became hybrid-only. No diesel variant.

The Toyota C-HR Hybrid has a strong reliability record — the hybrid system is proven and needs little unscheduled maintenance. The trade-offs are a cramped rear seat under the coupe roofline and a 377-litre boot. Some 2017–2022 builds are covered by DVSA brake-pedal and fuel-pump recalls, so check by registration.

What goes wrong

Safety recall R/2022/055recall
The initialization of the radar sensor may not have been completed correctly
42,554 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 20 March 2020 and 26 July 2021
Large recall — 42,554 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
Safety recall R/2018/240recall
Engine wire harness connected to hybrid vehicle power control unit could contact cover
32,393 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 26 May 2016 and 8 May 2018
Large recall — 32,393 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
CVT transmission whine or noiseminor
High-pitched whine from transmission under hard acceleration; "rubbery" CVT feel above 60 mph
All years (1.8 Hybrid CVT) · Above 50,000 miles — noise can increase with age · £0 — often normal CVT characteristics; ATF fluid change (£150–£250) can reduce noise on older units
Check: Accelerate firmly from 35–60 mph and listen for transmission noise. The 1.8 Hybrid CVT makes a characteristic high-pitched tone under hard acceleration — this is normal. Persistent grinding or rattling (rather than the characteristic tone) should be investigated.
12V auxiliary battery failuremoderate
Car fails to start; warning lights at startup; hybrid system fault codes; "ready" light does not illuminate
All years approaching 4–5 years old · From 4 years old regardless of mileage · £120–£250 12V auxiliary battery replacement
Check: On any C-HR approaching 5 years old, proactively budget for 12V auxiliary battery replacement. This is the most common unscheduled repair on the C-HR — the main traction battery is excellent, but the 12V auxiliary battery that wakes the hybrid system is a wear item.

Typical asking price:: £10,995–£19,834, median £13,995 (middle 80% and median, cars on Autoza on 29 October 2026)
Fuel economy:: 53–58 mpg official WLTP combined for the 1.8 Hybrid, 50–54 mpg for the 2.0 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheets).
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2020, 2021, 2022
Years to avoid:: 2016

Used Toyota C-HRs for sale Full C-HR fault guide Used Toyotas

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Which one suits you

Hyundai Tucson

Good for: Family buyers wanting low-stress modern SUV with Hyundai's 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty (within service-record terms).

Less good for: Buyers needing premium badge feel; very high-mileage motorway commuters (diesel alternatives more efficient).

Toyota C-HR

Good for: Buyers who prioritise reliability and low ownership costs above all else. Urban and suburban drivers who don't need large rear space or a big boot. Buyers who want Toyota's proven hybrid system in a compact crossover body.

Less good for: Families with teenagers or tall passengers in the rear — the C-HR rear headroom is significantly compromised by the coupe roofline. Buyers who regularly carry large loads — the 377-litre boot is small for the class. Buyers who need to tow more than a light trailer — Toyota rates the C-HR Hybrid at 725 kg, braked or unbraked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota C-HR?

On the MOT measure, the Toyota C-HR: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 3.2 percentage points ahead of the Hyundai Tucson on first-time MOT passes, across 27,875 DVSA-recorded tests covering every generation on the road. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict.

How do the MOT pass rates of the Hyundai Tucson and the Toyota C-HR compare?

85.3% of Hyundai Tucsons pass their MOT first time (17,402 tests in DVSA's records) and 90.6% of Toyota C-HRs pass their MOT first time (10,473 tests). The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of the Hyundai Tucson's age average 85.2% and cars of the Toyota C-HR's age 87.3% — so the Hyundai Tucson runs level with its age group and the Toyota C-HR runs 3.2 points better than its own. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.

Which years of the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota C-HR should I avoid?

Hyundai Tucson: The first UK plug-in hybrids arrived in spring 2021, and those early cars are the ones owners most often report battery cooling pump faults on. How often it happens is not known. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2021 registrations above all cars registered that year, so it is not named as a year to avoid. Judge a Tucson by its registration, service history and the checks below rather than by year. Toyota C-HR: 2016–2017 launch cars: a small number of CVT transmission noise complaints and early infotainment software issues. Also, pre-facelift 1.8 Hybrid's CVT can feel sluggish on motorway overtakes. These are minor concerns — the C-HR was reliable from launch, just less polished. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2017 registrations above all cars registered that year, so it is not named as a year to avoid.

Is the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota C-HR cheaper to run?

On fuel it depends on the engine. Hyundai Tucson: 38–44 mpg for 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 42–49 mpg. Toyota C-HR: 53–58 mpg official WLTP combined for the 1.8 Hybrid, 50–54 mpg for the 2.0 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheets). WLTP figures are official lab results; your own driving can return a different figure. For cars registered from April 2017, vehicle tax works the same way for both: the £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included, plus the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 on a car that listed at over £40,000 new — the price when new, not what you pay for it used. Any Hyundai Tucson or Toyota C-HR registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pays a CO2 band instead, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates). Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-10-06 / 2026-10-06.