2019 Ssangyong Korando diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Ssangyong Korando diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Ssangyong Korando diesel than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Number plate lights7.6× usual
  Ssangyong Korando

  9.1% All 2019 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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 pipes16× usual
  Ssangyong Korando

  3.2% All 2019 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2019 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.

• Prop shaftnull× usual
  Ssangyong Korando

  2% All 2019 cars

  0%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Brake lights5× usual
  Ssangyong Korando

  2.5% All 2019 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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.

• Engine warning light3× usual
  Ssangyong Korando

  2.4% All 2019 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.8% of all 2019 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.

Common 2019 Ssangyong Korando diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Ssangyong Korando diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Brakes
  25% 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
  17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  3% 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.

• Steering
  1% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Ssangyong Korando diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 7.6× as often on the 2019 Ssangyong Korando diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 16× as often on the 2019 Ssangyong Korando diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the prop shaft? (Flagged at MOT null× as often on the 2019 Ssangyong Korando diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?