2006 SsangYong Rexton — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 750 MOT tests, the 2006 SsangYong Rexton recorded a 66.3% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 24.1% of the time, so this is 9.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 24.4% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp and rigid brake pipes — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 73 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 40.0% versus 15.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.8% in 2021 to 29.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 24.4% | 183 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.5% | 154 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.5% | 109 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.5% | 101 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.2% | 69 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 51 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 73 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 69 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 66 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 60 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 55 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 55 |
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 | 39.1% | 293 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.8% | 261 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.1% | 173 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.4% | 153 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 138 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.8% | 126 |
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 | 38 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 164 | 31.7% |
| 90-120k | 277 | 33.6% |
| 120-150k | 162 | 34.0% |
| 150k+ | 85 | 40.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 282 | 34.8% |
| 2022 | 187 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 142 | 33.8% |
| 2024 | 82 | 36.6% |
| 2025 | 57 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Rexton
On a 2006 Rexton, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 24.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (24.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (20.5% 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 (14.5% 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 2006 SsangYong Rextons pass their MOT?
66.3% of the 750 2006 SsangYong Rexton MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 SsangYong Rexton?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.4% of tests, followed by brakes (20.5%).
Does the 2006 Rexton get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 30-60k band to 40.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 750 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.