Pickup · 1996–2021 cars
SsangYong Musso reliability
The SsangYong Musso fails 34.9% of first MOT tests, 98% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,601 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a SsangYong Musso before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 34.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 98% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,601
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the SsangYong Musso ages
Each point is the share of SsangYong Mussos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | SsangYong Musso | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 31.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 36.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 35.9% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 36.7% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 34.9% | 22.1% |
By year
The best and worst SsangYong Musso years
2017 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 725 | 26.5% | 68% more fails | 43,772 |
| 2019 Musso | 1,658 | 32.6% | 104% more fails | 43,460 |
| 2018 Musso | 1,561 | 37% | 122% more fails | 47,532 |
| 2017 Musso | 1,075 | 38.8% | 92% more fails | 60,784 |
| 2016 | 284 | 43.3% | 102% more fails | 58,995 |
Common problems
What fails most on a SsangYong Musso
Its weak spot is steering: 935% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes18.1%421% above avg
- Lights and electrics13%155% above avg
- Suspension11.2%329% above avg
- Steering5.1%935% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.3%22% above avg
- Tyres4.1%25% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.9%35% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.3%45% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%44% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Parking brake inoperative on one side 6.55% of tests
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.98% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.71% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.64% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.36% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Parking brake efficiency under half required 3.21% of tests
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
- 7
Rear fog lamp not working 2.89% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 8
Position lamp not working 2.16% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a SsangYong Musso's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pads wearing thin11.03%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.44%
- Brake disc pitted or scored5.75%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy3.23%
- Track rod ball joint slight play2.71%
- Suspension ball joint slight play2.7%
Before you buy
What to check on a used SsangYong Musso
- 1
Parking brake inoperative on one side
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical SsangYong Musso covers about 10,900 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel99.5%
- Petrol0.4%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Black, Red, Grey, White, Silver
Average engine size: 2.2 litres.
Compare
How the SsangYong Musso compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat Fullback | 17.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda B Series | 42% | about average for its age |
| Mercedes-Benz X-Class | 17.1% | about average for its age |
| Nissan Pickup | 44.2% | about average for its age |
| Isuzu Rodeo | 44.1% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Isuzu TF | 43.3% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Musso | 34.9% | 98% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every pickup ranked in the pickup reliability index, or all SsangYong models.
Questions
SsangYong Musso questions, answered
Is the SsangYong Musso reliable?
On MOT results, the SsangYong Musso is well below average: it fails 34.9% of first MOT tests, 98% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 13 of 13 pickup models in our index.
What fails most on a SsangYong Musso MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the SsangYong Musso are parking brake inoperative on one side (6.55% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5.98% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.71% of tests). By area, brakes fails 18.1% of its tests.
Which SsangYong Musso year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2017 cars do best (92% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (122% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a SsangYong Musso do a year?
A typical SsangYong Musso covers about 10,900 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a SsangYong Musso before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
Found a SsangYong Musso? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.