Used car guide

2018 Ssangyong Musso: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Ssangyong Mussos, from 445 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 445 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

445MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
9,000typical miles a year
7.1×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

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

  • Track rod ends7.1× usual
    Ssangyong Musso
    12.1% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 0.8% of all 2018 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.

  • Coil springs6.8× usual
    Ssangyong Musso
    11.5% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, 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.

  • Number plate lights5.6× usual
    Ssangyong Musso
    10.1% All 2018 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, 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 pipes10.1× usual
    Ssangyong Musso
    8.1% 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.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 6.1% here, against 13.9% of all 2018 cars.

By area

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

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Suspension
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    26% 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
    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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022921Brakes 33%
2021559Brakes 37%
2020391Brakes 39%
2019560Brakes 42%
2017317Suspension 42%

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