Most Reliable Ssangyong Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 23,213 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Ssangyong models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
23,213 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Ssangyong model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Ssangyong TIVOLI
72.7% pass rate
Best Single Year
KORANDO 2019 Diesel
81.3% pass rate
Ssangyong vs National Average
67.3% vs 71.5%
-4.2% below average
Durability Champion
N/A
N/A
Ssangyong has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 23,213 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Ssangyong models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Ssangyong model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Ssangyong Compares to Rivals
Ssangyong ranks #54 out of 75 manufacturers with a 67.3% average MOT pass rate. That's below the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Volkswagen | 72.2% | #43 | 2,967,545 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Ssangyong | 67.3% | #54 | 23,213 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Ssangyong sits at #54. However, newer Ssangyong models significantly outperform this average.
Best Ssangyong Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Ssangyong's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIVOLI | 72.7% | +1.2% | 6,409 | 2015-2020 |
| KORANDO | 67.7% | -3.9% | 7,322 | 2012-2020 |
| REXTON | 64.2% | -7.3% | 2,892 | 2005-2020 |
| MUSSO | 62.8% | -8.7% | 1,712 | 2017-2020 |
| RODIUS | 62.4% | -9.1% | 2,542 | 2013-2018 |
Durability Champions: Which Ssangyong Models Age Best?
Raw pass rates favour newer cars. This ranking compares each model against the national average for cars of the same age:
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Trend | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KORANDO | 2019 | Diesel | -5.1% | (81% at 3-4 years) | |
| TIVOLI | 2019 | Petrol | -5.5% | (81% at 3-4 years) | |
| TIVOLI | 2016 | Petrol | -7.0% | (71% at 7-8 years) | |
| KORANDO | 2017 | Diesel | -8.1% | (74% at 5-6 years) | |
| TIVOLI | 2017 | Petrol | -8.7% | (73% at 5-6 years) | |
| TIVOLI | 2015 | Petrol | -8.9% | (68% at 7-8 years) | |
| KORANDO | 2018 | Diesel | -9.5% | (77% at 3-4 years) | |
| TIVOLI | 2017 | Diesel | -10.4% | (72% at 5-6 years) | |
| TIVOLI | 2016 | Diesel | -11.4% | (67% at 7-8 years) | |
| TIVOLI | 2018 | Diesel | -12.4% | (75% at 3-4 years) |
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.
Ssangyong Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Ssangyong's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 75.6% | +4.1% | 3,633 |
| Diesel | 66.0% | -5.5% | 17,244 |
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% (-20.5% vs same-age) | 569 |
| RODIUS | 2016 | Diesel | 61.3% (-18.5% vs same-age) | 643 |
| RODIUS | 2017 | Diesel | 65.5% (-16.7% vs same-age) | 640 |
| RODIUS | 2018 | Diesel | 68.3% (-16.4% vs same-age) | 511 |
| KORANDO | 2013 | Diesel | 54.5% (-16.7% vs same-age) | 541 |
| KORANDO | 2016 | Diesel | 65.9% (-14.2% vs same-age) | 1,227 |
| KORANDO | 2014 | Diesel | 59.2% (-15.6% vs same-age) | 954 |
| TIVOLI | 2018 | Diesel | 72.8% (-12.4% vs same-age) | 595 |
| KORANDO | 2015 | Diesel | 64.1% (-13.1% vs same-age) | 1,418 |
| TIVOLI | 2016 | Diesel | 68.7% (-11.4% vs same-age) | 1,225 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2016-2018 diesel RODIUSs, 2013-2016 diesel KORANDOs, 2016-2018 diesel TIVOLIs are the models that drag down Ssangyong's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
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 | 2,811 |
| 2. Brakes | 2,336 |
| 3. Suspension | 1,518 |
| 4. Tyres | 1,373 |
| 5. Visibility | 1,210 |
| 6. Steering | 554 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 440 |
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
- No major proven reliability concerns
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 23,213 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: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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