Ssangyong Rexton (2003)
2003 Ssangyong Rexton
CarHunch analysed 167 real MOT records for the 2003 Ssangyong Rexton. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Rexton struggles significantly compared to the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 65.2% against the national 80%—and over half of these vehicles (51.5%) have recorded dangerous defects at some point, which is a serious red flag for any buyer. These are genuinely unreliable cars by modern standards.
At 67,377 miles median, these examples haven't done excessive mileage for their age, yet they're still accumulating an average of 5.62 failures and 26 advisories per MOT, pointing to systemic build quality issues rather than wear and tear. If you're considering one, budget heavily for repairs and get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with Ssangyong's known weak points—the numbers suggest this is a buy-only-if-cheap proposition.
What to check before buying a 2003 Ssangyong Rexton
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 51.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Ssangyong Rexton
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (96%) | 160 | 65.2% | 5.61 |
| Petrol (4%) | 6 | 63.9% | 5.5 |
| LPG (1%) | 1 | 63.2% | 7 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Ssangyong Rexton vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Ssangyong Rexton vehicles fall between 43,225 and 82,162 miles.
2003 Ssangyong Rexton — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Ssangyong Rexton
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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84.7%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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83.1%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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79.1%
Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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78.5%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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71.2%
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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63.8%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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60.5%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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58.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ssangyong Rexton?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.