Used car guide

2012 Ssangyong Rexton: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Ssangyong Rexton first registered in 2012: we looked at the 261 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 261 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

261MOTs of 2012 cars, done in 2023–2025
46%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
7,400typical miles a year
33×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Ssangyong Rexton?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Ssangyong Rexton than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Chassis rust or damage33× usual
    Ssangyong Rexton
    16.5% All 2012 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Track rod ends4.2× usual
    Ssangyong Rexton
    17.6% All 2012 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.9%, against 2.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.3× usual
    Ssangyong Rexton
    16.5% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 2012 Ssangyong Rexton MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Ssangyong Rexton MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    44% 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
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    21% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Steering
    15% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Ssangyong Rexton

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

  1. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 33× as often on the 2012 Ssangyong Rexton as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the 2012 Ssangyong Rexton as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2012 Ssangyong Rexton as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Ssangyong Rexton?

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 Rexton compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022368Tyres 28%
2021666Tyres 21%
2020645Brakes 31%
2019968Brakes 30%
20181,027Brakes 32%
20171,349Brakes 31%
20161,123Suspension 40%
20151,191Suspension 42%
20141,078Suspension 50%
2013–Too few tests
2011–Too few tests
2010–Too few tests
2009396Suspension 54%
2008142Suspension 66%
2007179Suspension 53%
2006224Brakes 49%
2005359Brakes 49%
2004209Lights and electrics 56%
2003–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 Rexton cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score