Used car guide

2021 Ssangyong Korando diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Ssangyong Korando first registered in 2021 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 377 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 377 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

377MOTs of 2021 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
78%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for brake pads

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Ssangyong Korando diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Ssangyong Korando diesel than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake pads2.7× usual
    Ssangyong Korando
    17% All 2021 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.1% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

Common 2021 Ssangyong Korando diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Ssangyong Korando diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    22% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    20% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    9% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    1% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    1% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Ssangyong Korando diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2021 Ssangyong Korando diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Ssangyong Korando?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Ssangyong Korando compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022566Brakes 20%
20202,190Brakes 25%
20192,071Brakes 25%
20182,224Brakes 29%
20172,711Tyres 33%
20163,596Brakes 36%
20154,114Brakes 38%
20142,725Brakes 41%
20131,497Brakes 45%
20121,397Brakes 45%
2011186Brakes 42%
1999–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Ssangyong Korando cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score