Used car guide

2018 Ssangyong Rexton: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Ssangyong Rextons, from 347 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 347 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

347MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
8,200typical miles a year
9.1×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

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

  • Ball joint9.1× usual
    Ssangyong Rexton
    11.8% All 2018 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    Ssangyong Rexton
    20.5% All 2018 cars
    11%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Track rod ends5.4× usual
    Ssangyong Rexton
    9.2% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, 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.

By area

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

  • Brakes
    28% 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
    27% 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.

  • Tyres
    21% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    11% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Steering
    7% 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.

  • 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.

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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022358Tyres 28%
2021349Brakes 24%
2020223Brakes 29%
2019327Brakes 35%
2017449Suspension 34%
2016371Suspension 43%
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 2018 Ssangyong Rextons registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score