2018 SsangYong Musso — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 SsangYong Musso passed 73.6% of its 2,838 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 11.0% of the time, so this is 15.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.8%) and lighting & signalling (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, rbt (sp) and parking brake performance — coil spring alone was recorded 263 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2018 Musso fails 20.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 23.4% at 120-150k, a spread of only 3.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 23.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.8% | 391 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 329 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.3% | 293 |
| 4 | Steering | 4.9% | 139 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 97 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.5% | 70 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 263 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 203 |
| 3 | Parking brake performance | 157 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 142 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 136 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 105 |
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 | 23.0% | 654 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.4% | 464 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.3% | 292 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.4% | 239 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 200 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 149 |
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 | 790 | 20.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,189 | 28.3% |
| 60-90k | 586 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 206 | 29.6% |
| 120-150k | 47 | 23.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 543 | 24.7% |
| 2022 | 570 | 25.8% |
| 2023 | 605 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 576 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 544 | 24.1% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Musso
On a 2018 Musso, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (13.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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 2018 SsangYong Mussos pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 2,838 2018 SsangYong Musso MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 SsangYong Musso?
Brakes, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.6%).
Does the 2018 Musso get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.4% in the 0-30k band to 23.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,838 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.