Used car guide

2018 Ssangyong Korando: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Ssangyong Korandos, from 744 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

744MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
7,000typical miles a year
10.8×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Ssangyong Korandos than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Number plate lights10.8× usual
    Ssangyong Korando
    19.4% All 2018 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Rigid brake pipes15.2× usual
    Ssangyong Korando
    12.2% All 2018 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.1% of all 2018 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.

  • Brake lights4.9× usual
    Ssangyong Korando
    4.4% All 2018 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.7% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Coil springs2.4× usual
    Ssangyong Korando
    4% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.3% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 2018 Ssangyong Korando MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    33% 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
    30% 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
    28% 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.

  • Suspension
    11% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% 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
    3% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022554Brakes 21%
2021596Brakes 27%
2020739Brakes 30%
2019716Tyres 31%
2017920Brakes 36%
20161,184Brakes 40%
20151,327Brakes 43%
2014870Brakes 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Ssangyong Korandos registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score