Most Reliable Ssangyong Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 23,258 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Ssangyong models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
23,258 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Ssangyong model from 1995-2022
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Ssangyong TIVOLI
73.1% pass rate
Best Single Year
KORANDO 2019 Diesel
81.3% pass rate
Ssangyong vs National Average
67.2% vs 71.4%
-4.2% below average
Durability Champion
N/A
N/A
Ssangyong ranks #148 out of 180 manufacturers, below the national average. We analysed 23,258 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find the most reliable Ssangyong models and which years to avoid.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering Ssangyong models sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Ssangyong Compares to Rivals
Ssangyong ranks #148 out of 180 manufacturers with a 67.2% average MOT pass rate. That's below the national average of 71.4%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 73.8% | #115 | 1,637,457 |
| Volkswagen | 71.9% | #129 | 3,034,850 |
| Nissan | 68.6% | #142 | 1,626,183 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #143 | 4,473,074 |
| Ssangyong | 67.2% | #148 | 23,258 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #155 | 3,052,659 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Ssangyong sits at #148.
Best Ssangyong Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Ssangyong's core models rank against the 71.4% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.4%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIVOLI | 73.1% | +1.7% | 6,736 | 2015-2021 |
| KORANDO | 68.2% | -3.2% | 7,910 | 1998-2022 |
| MUSSO | 62.6% | -8.9% | 1,862 | 1995-2022 |
| REXTON | 62.3% | -9.2% | 3,488 | 2003-2021 |
| RODIUS | 61.4% | -10.0% | 2,935 | 2005-2020 |
* Compared to overall 71.4% national average across all years. For year-adjusted comparisons that account for newer cars passing more often, see individual model breakdowns below.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Ssangyong Models Age Best?
Long-term MOT data shows mixed results for Ssangyong durability. Here's how specific models compare to the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 100+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Ssangyong Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Reliability varies by fuel type for Ssangyong. Here's how each performs:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 76.5% | +5.0% | 4,192 |
| Diesel | 65.2% | -6.2% | 19,061 |
Ssangyong Models to Avoid
Not all Ssangyongs are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSSO | 2019 | Diesel | 65.9% | 569 |
| RODIUS | 2016 | Diesel | 61.3% | 643 |
| RODIUS | 2017 | Diesel | 65.5% | 640 |
| RODIUS | 2018 | Diesel | 68.3% | 511 |
| KORANDO | 2013 | Diesel | 54.5% | 541 |
| KORANDO | 2016 | Diesel | 65.9% | 1,227 |
| KORANDO | 2014 | Diesel | 59.2% | 954 |
| TIVOLI | 2018 | Diesel | 72.8% | 595 |
| KORANDO | 2015 | Diesel | 64.1% | 1,418 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2016-2018 diesel RODIUSs, 2013-2016 diesel KORANDOs are the models that drag down Ssangyong's average. The KORANDO performs 10% worse than the average car of the same age at 11-14 years - this is proven poor durability. These are the weakest performers in the lineup.
What Goes Wrong on Ssangyongs?
When Ssangyongs fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3,221 |
| 2. Brakes | 2,647 |
| 3. Suspension | 1,808 |
| 4. Tyres | 1,506 |
| 5. Visibility | 1,372 |
| 6. Steering | 695 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 592 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Ssangyong owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- Limited proven durability data available
Ssangyong Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- KORANDO (11-14 years): -10% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average at 11-14 years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 23,258 tests on Ssangyong vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 100 tests for proven durability rankings, 100 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.44% based on 32,300,000 tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
Check Any Vehicle's MOT History
Get the full MOT history, mileage records, and reliability insights for any UK vehicle. Make an informed decision before you buy.
Run a Free Check