Used car guide

2016 Ssangyong Rexton: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Ssangyong Rextons, from 371 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 371 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

371MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
7,800typical miles a year
4.4×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Ssangyong Rextons than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Number plate lights4.4× usual
    Ssangyong Rexton
    14% All 2016 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

  • Track rod ends4.4× usual
    Ssangyong Rexton
    13.7% All 2016 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 1.5% of all 2016 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 pipes5.7× usual
    Ssangyong Rexton
    10.8% All 2016 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.2% of all 2016 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover6× usual
    Ssangyong Rexton
    10.2% All 2016 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.6% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

By area

The share of 2016 Ssangyong Rexton MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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
    30% 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
    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
    25% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    3% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022358Tyres 28%
2021349Brakes 24%
2020223Brakes 29%
2019327Brakes 35%
2018347Brakes 28%
2017449Suspension 34%
2015387Suspension 48%
2014344Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Ssangyong Rextons registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score