2017 SsangYong Korando — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,452 MOT tests, the 2017 SsangYong Korando recorded an 83.0% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 11.8% of the time, so this is 5.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 9.9% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are registration plate lamp(s), stop lamp and wipers — registration plate lamp(s) alone was recorded 324 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.6% once past 120-150k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 542 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.7% | 365 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.1% | 277 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.0% | 219 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.3% | 181 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 62 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 324 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 204 |
| 3 | Wipers | 152 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 152 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 137 |
| 6 | Washers | 130 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.9% | 1,464 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.7% | 1,345 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 547 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.0% | 436 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 267 |
| 6 | Suspension | 4.8% | 260 |
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 | 1,213 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,792 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,173 | 24.6% |
| 90-120k | 221 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 43 | 25.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,402 | 17.0% |
| Petrol | 50 | 20.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,071 | 13.4% |
| 2022 | 1,077 | 15.5% |
| 2023 | 1,098 | 17.1% |
| 2024 | 1,093 | 18.6% |
| 2025 | 1,113 | 20.4% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Korando
On a 2017 Korando, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.7% 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.
- Tyres (5.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2017 SsangYong Korandos pass their MOT?
83.0% of the 5,452 2017 SsangYong Korando MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 SsangYong Korando?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.9% of tests, followed by brakes (6.7%).
Does the 2017 Korando get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 25.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,452 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.