2008 SsangYong Rexton — MOT failures & pass rate
430 MOT tests on the 2008 SsangYong Rexton are in this dataset, and 66.7% of them passed. That is 10.9 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 22.4%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (21.2%) and lighting & signalling (20.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and stop lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 39 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.5% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 37.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 31.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 38.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.2% | 91 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 20.7% | 89 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.9% | 64 |
| 4 | Steering | 10.0% | 43 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 38 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.4% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 39 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 34 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 31 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 26 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 24 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 23 |
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 | 37.9% | 163 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.5% | 157 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.9% | 103 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.6% | 97 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 81 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.3% | 66 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 94 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 172 | 36.0% |
| 120-150k | 117 | 35.0% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 37.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 130 | 31.5% |
| 2022 | 112 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 93 | 35.5% |
| 2024 | 56 | 33.9% |
| 2025 | 39 | 38.5% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Rexton
On a 2008 Rexton, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (21.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (20.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.9% 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.
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 2008 SsangYong Rextons pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 430 2008 SsangYong Rexton MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 SsangYong Rexton?
Suspension, recorded in 21.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (20.7%).
Does the 2008 Rexton get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.5% in the 60-90k band to 37.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 430 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.