2013 SsangYong Korando — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 SsangYong Korando passed 72.2% of its 3,404 recorded MOT tests. That is 7.7 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 20.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.0% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint dust cover and stop lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 327 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.6% in the 0-30k band and 26.1% in the 150k+ band, a 6.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 544 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 413 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.8% | 403 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 221 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.5% | 188 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.3% | 181 |
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 | 327 |
| 2 | Ball joint dust cover | 204 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 181 |
| 4 | Joints | 178 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 167 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 147 |
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 | 34.1% | 1,159 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.3% | 894 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.9% | 746 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.0% | 613 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.3% | 453 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 398 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 97 | 19.6% |
| 30-60k | 798 | 21.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,501 | 28.4% |
| 90-120k | 772 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 186 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 46 | 26.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 713 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 712 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 708 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 664 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 607 | 31.5% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Korando
On a 2013 Korando, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.1% 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 (11.8% 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 2013 SsangYong Korandos pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 3,404 2013 SsangYong Korando MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 SsangYong Korando?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by brakes (12.1%).
Does the 2013 Korando get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.6% in the 0-30k band to 26.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,404 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.