2018 SsangYong Rodius — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,054 MOT tests, the 2018 SsangYong Rodius recorded a 79.9% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 11.1% of the time, so this is 9.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and steering.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.7% of tests against 5.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, wipers and srs malfunction indicator lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 202 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.0% once past 150k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 295 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 180 |
| 3 | Steering | 5.8% | 176 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.9% | 150 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 136 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.4% | 134 |
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 | 202 |
| 2 | Wipers | 113 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 111 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 102 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 88 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 73 |
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 | 21.5% | 656 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.2% | 586 |
| 3 | Other defects | 11.0% | 337 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.4% | 166 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.4% | 166 |
| 6 | Suspension | 4.1% | 124 |
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 | 952 | 13.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,393 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 504 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 142 | 25.4% |
| 150k+ | 35 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 585 | 16.2% |
| 2022 | 602 | 18.6% |
| 2023 | 629 | 21.1% |
| 2024 | 615 | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 623 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Rodius
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.9% 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.
- Steering (5.8% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 Rodiuss pass their MOT?
79.9% of the 3,054 2018 SsangYong Rodius MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 SsangYong Rodius?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by brakes (5.9%).
Does the 2018 Rodius get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.0% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,054 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.