Used car guide · 2003–2023

Ssangyong Rexton common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Ssangyong Rexton, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 10,185 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2013 Ssangyong Rexton

Too few Ssangyong Rexton cars first registered in 2013 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Ssangyong Rexton as a whole.

12on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselfuel type
What to check on a 2013 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003

What usually goes wrong with a Ssangyong Rexton?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Ssangyong Rexton in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Ssangyong Rexton MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 8.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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 pipes

    up to 8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 13.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 6.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Brake pads

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Ssangyong Rexton MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Ssangyong Rexton did best (84% passed first time, 3 points below all 2021 cars) and the 2014 did worst (54%, 16 points below all 2014 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202282%89% -7368 (small sample)
202184%87% -3666
202077%87% -10645
201978%85% -7968
201876%83% -71,027
201766%80% -141,349
201663%77% -141,123
201559%74% -151,191
201454%70% -161,078
201246%64% -18261 (small sample)
200953%59% -6396 (small sample)
200848%57% -9142 (small sample)
200751%57% -6179 (small sample)
200650%56% -6224 (small sample)
200554%57% -3359 (small sample)
200453%57% -4209 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 8.1× as often on the Ssangyong Rexton as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 8× as often on the Ssangyong Rexton as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 13.9× as often on the 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score