2004 SsangYong Rexton — MOT failures & pass rate
715 MOT tests on the 2004 SsangYong Rexton are in this dataset, and 66.0% of them passed. That is 8.8 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 25.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 25.3% of all tests — 7.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 124 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 42.4% in the 0-30k band and 30.2% in the 150k+ band, a 12.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 44.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 25.3% | 181 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.2% | 130 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.8% | 113 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 73 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.4% | 60 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 37 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 124 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 75 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 61 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 58 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 51 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 49 |
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 | 44.3% | 317 |
| 2 | Suspension | 42.0% | 300 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.1% | 201 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.8% | 156 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.4% | 153 |
| 6 | Other defects | 20.4% | 146 |
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 | 66 | 42.4% |
| 30-60k | 46 | 28.3% |
| 60-90k | 167 | 34.1% |
| 90-120k | 229 | 33.6% |
| 120-150k | 147 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 53 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 267 | 33.0% |
| 2022 | 193 | 38.9% |
| 2023 | 124 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 76 | 35.5% |
| 2025 | 55 | 32.7% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Rexton
On a 2004 Rexton, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 25.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (25.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (18.2% 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 (15.8% 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 2004 SsangYong Rextons pass their MOT?
66.0% of the 715 2004 SsangYong Rexton MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 SsangYong Rexton?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 25.3% of tests, followed by brakes (18.2%).
Does the 2004 Rexton get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 42.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 715 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.