2012 SsangYong Korando — MOT failures & pass rate
3,181 MOT tests on the 2012 SsangYong Korando are in this dataset, and 71.2% of them passed. That is 6.9 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 21.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests against 12.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and stop lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 301 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.1% in the 30-60k band and 31.6% in the 150k+ band, a 6.5-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 28.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 520 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 406 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.5% | 397 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 263 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 179 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.9% | 155 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 301 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 241 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 234 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 225 |
| 5 | Joints | 197 |
| 6 | Washers | 112 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.1% | 1,149 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.3% | 867 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.2% | 738 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.4% | 714 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.3% | 423 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 345 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 698 | 25.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,310 | 28.5% |
| 90-120k | 833 | 30.7% |
| 120-150k | 248 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 57 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 731 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 705 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 659 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 589 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 497 | 30.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Korando
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (12.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2012 SsangYong Korandos pass their MOT?
71.2% of the 3,181 2012 SsangYong Korando MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 SsangYong Korando?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by brakes (12.8%).
Does the 2012 Korando get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.1% in the 30-60k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,181 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.