2018 SsangYong Rexton — MOT failures & pass rate
2,018 MOT tests on the 2018 SsangYong Rexton are in this dataset, and 83.4% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 10.4% of the time, so this is 6.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 7.1% of tests against 4.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, coil spring and track rod end — brake pads alone was recorded 163 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 22.1% once past 90-120k — 2.1× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 11.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 7.1% | 144 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.1% | 83 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 75 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.2% | 65 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.8% | 56 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.1% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 163 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 60 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 56 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 32 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 30 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
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 | 25.1% | 507 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.3% | 329 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.4% | 169 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.3% | 147 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.5% | 71 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 56 |
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 | 607 | 10.7% |
| 30-60k | 951 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 354 | 21.8% |
| 90-120k | 77 | 22.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 390 | 11.8% |
| 2022 | 392 | 15.0% |
| 2023 | 425 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 403 | 18.1% |
| 2025 | 408 | 18.9% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Rexton
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 7.1% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (7.1% 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 (4.1% 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 (3.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2018 SsangYong Rextons pass their MOT?
83.4% of the 2,018 2018 SsangYong Rexton MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 SsangYong Rexton?
Brakes, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by suspension (4.1%).
Does the 2018 Rexton get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.7% in the 0-30k band to 22.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,018 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.