2017 SsangYong Rexton — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,809 MOT tests, the 2017 SsangYong Rexton recorded a 78.5% pass rate. Against large SUVs of a similar age (11.3% fail rate), the 2017 Rexton comes out 10.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.4%) and suspension (8.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, track rod end and brake pads — coil spring alone was recorded 140 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.2% in the 0-30k band and 36.8% in the 120-150k band, a 23.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 22.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 264 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 245 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 240 |
| 4 | Steering | 4.2% | 119 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.0% | 84 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 77 |
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 | 140 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 128 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 120 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 115 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 86 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 81 |
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 | 22.6% | 636 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.6% | 467 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.5% | 323 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 274 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.4% | 152 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.2% | 145 |
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 | 531 | 13.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,434 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 618 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 186 | 28.0% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 36.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 547 | 17.7% |
| 2022 | 548 | 19.9% |
| 2023 | 571 | 23.5% |
| 2024 | 587 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 556 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Rexton
On a 2017 Rexton, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.7% 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.
- Brakes (8.5% 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.
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 2017 SsangYong Rextons pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 2,809 2017 SsangYong Rexton MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 SsangYong Rexton?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by suspension (8.7%).
Does the 2017 Rexton get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 0-30k band to 36.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,809 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.