2005 SsangYong Rexton — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,232 MOT tests, the 2005 SsangYong Rexton recorded a 67.2% pass rate. That is 8.0 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 24.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.9% of tests against 17.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, headlamp aim and rear fog lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 140 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 31.1% in the 30-60k band and 24.4% in the 150k+ band, a 6.7-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 45.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.8% in 2021 to 29.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.9% | 295 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.2% | 212 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.5% | 166 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 162 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.0% | 111 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 74 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 140 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 110 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 107 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 99 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 96 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 85 |
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 | 45.2% | 557 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.8% | 478 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.8% | 342 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.9% | 307 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.6% | 266 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 18.2% | 224 |
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 | 90 | 31.1% |
| 60-90k | 310 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 453 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 272 | 37.9% |
| 150k+ | 78 | 24.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,201 | 33.0% |
| Petrol | 31 | 25.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 466 | 35.8% |
| 2022 | 312 | 33.0% |
| 2023 | 221 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 146 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 87 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Rexton
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 23.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (23.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (17.2% 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 (13.5% 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 2005 SsangYong Rextons pass their MOT?
67.2% of the 1,232 2005 SsangYong Rexton MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 SsangYong Rexton?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.9% of tests, followed by brakes (17.2%).
Does the 2005 Rexton get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.1% in the 30-60k band to 24.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,232 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.