Maximum SUV for minimum money, no frills
The Korando is SsangYong's mid-size SUV aimed squarely at budget-conscious buyers wanting maximum metal for minimum money. It competes on value against the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson, offering more space and equipment for less cash. The brand's low profile in the UK means strong depreciation, but this works in the used buyer's favour.
We track 5 known issues across the SsangYong Korando range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a SsangYong Korando? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
C200 (2011–2019) — Engine options included the 2.0 eXDi200, 2.2 eXDi220. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake pipe corrosion (£200–£400 to address).
C300 (2019–2024) — Engine options included the 1.6 eXDi160. Our database flags 2 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake pipe corrosion (£200–£400 to address).
Brake pipe corrosion affects both generations at 10.4x the national fleet average, with the trend worsening over time. This is unusual for a relatively modern vehicle and suggests poor corrosion protection on brake lines. Even low-mileage vehicles show this defect, indicating a design or material issue rather than normal age-related deterioration.
Brake pipe failure causes immediate loss of braking on the affected circuit. On a dual-circuit system this typically means loss of front or rear brakes, significantly increasing stopping distances. Complete brake failure can occur if corrosion affects multiple pipes or the main feed line.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The propshaft centre bearing supporting the two-piece propshaft fails prematurely on the C200 generation Korando. MOT data shows bearing wear occurring at 295x the national fleet average, making this the most documented mechanical failure on this model. The bearing is not serviceable separately and requires propshaft replacement. Later C300 generation uses a different propshaft design.
Complete bearing failure will strand the vehicle as the propshaft becomes unsupported and can contact the exhaust or underfloor. Vibration from a worn bearing accelerates wear of other drivetrain components including the differential and gearbox mounts.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
The rubber flexible coupling (also called a flex disc or giubo) connecting the propshaft to the differential fails at 146x the national fleet average on C200 Korandos. This rubber component absorbs drivetrain shock but deteriorates with age and mileage. Failure creates excessive backlash in the drivetrain and can cause the propshaft to separate from the differential.
Complete coupling failure can cause loss of drive or allow the propshaft to separate from the differential, creating a safety hazard. Worn couplings also damage the differential pinion seal through excessive movement.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
The handbrake system shows poor efficiency at MOT test, failing at rates up to 30x the national average. This affects both generations and appears to worsen with age. The system uses rear disc brakes with cable-actuated mechanical calipers that are prone to seized mechanisms and cable stretch.
Insufficient handbrake efficiency is an automatic MOT failure and makes the vehicle unsafe on slopes. Complete handbrake failure poses a significant safety risk, particularly when parking on hills or during emergency stops.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Rubber dust covers protecting suspension ball joints and CV joints deteriorate at 12.7x the national fleet average on C200 Korandos. While not immediately dangerous, split dust covers allow water and debris to contaminate the joint, leading to accelerated wear and eventual expensive replacement of the underlying component.
Split dust covers themselves are not dangerous but lead to rapid joint wear once contamination occurs. Replacement of the underlying ball joint or CV joint is typically 5-10 times more expensive than replacing just the dust cover when caught early.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the SsangYong Korando common problems page.
Based on 38k real DVSA MOT tests, the SsangYong Korando fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is transmission shaft bearing worn at 267x the fleet average, followed by transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated (170x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full SsangYong Korando MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full SsangYong Korando service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The SsangYong Korando has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2016 onwards is the sweet spot, when the old 2.0-litre diesel was replaced by the cleaner, more powerful 2.2-litre Euro 6 unit with 175bhp. The 2019+ fourth-generation Korando is a significant step forward in refinement and interior quality. Avoid pre-2016 models which have the most electrical and build quality complaints.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific SsangYong Korando, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known SsangYong Korando issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.