2021 SsangYong Rexton — MOT failures & pass rate
671 MOT tests on the 2021 SsangYong Rexton are in this dataset, and 89.3% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 8.9% of the time, so this is 1.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.8%) and brakes (4.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, wipers and rear fog lamp — brake pads alone was recorded 41 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 39 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.5% | 30 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.6% | 24 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.1% | 14 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 10 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.0% | 7 |
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 | 41 |
| 2 | Wipers | 28 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 20 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 9 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.1% | 135 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.1% | 128 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 38 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 28 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 11 |
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 | 325 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 311 | 14.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 318 | 9.4% |
| 2025 | 337 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Rexton
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 5.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (5.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.5% 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.
- Visibility (3.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2021 SsangYong Rextons pass their MOT?
89.3% of the 671 2021 SsangYong Rexton MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 SsangYong Rexton?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by brakes (4.5%).
Does the 2021 Rexton get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 14.5% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 671 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.