What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used SsangYong Musso.
The SsangYong Musso occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the SsangYong Musso range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a SsangYong Musso? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
G2 (2016–2022) — Engine options included the 2.2 Diesel. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Parking brake system failure (£200–£500 to address).
MOT statistics show systematic parking brake failures across multiple defect categories, with this model failing at up to 81.4 times the national average. Failures include complete inoperative operation on one side, efficiency below minimum requirements, and excessive lever movement indicating adjustment problems. The pattern affects cars from 20,000 miles onwards across all mileage bands, suggesting fundamental design or material quality issues with the parking brake system.
Parking brake failure presents a direct safety risk. The vehicle may not hold on inclines and could roll away when parked. This defect will cause an immediate MOT failure. Complete system repair or replacement is typically required.
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.
MOT data shows steering ball joints developing excessive wear or free play at 16.2 times the national fleet average, with failures recorded from 20,000 miles onwards. This premature wear pattern indicates potential issues with component quality, lubrication, or protection from road contamination. Ball joint failure directly affects steering precision and vehicle control.
Worn steering ball joints create dangerous loss of steering precision and control. Complete failure can result in total loss of steering. The vehicle becomes unsafe to drive and will fail MOT inspection. Immediate replacement is required.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
MOT data shows this model fails transmission drive component inspections at 218.5 times the national fleet average, with failures concentrated between 40,000-60,000 miles on the 2.2 diesel engine. The failures relate to transmission joints, belts or chains showing excessive wear beyond acceptable limits. This could indicate premature wear of CV joints, drive belts, or timing components within the transmission system. The failure pattern suggests a design weakness rather than normal wear.
Excessive wear in transmission drive components can lead to complete failure of power transmission to the wheels. CV joint failure makes the vehicle immobile. Repair typically requires replacement of worn components and may involve transmission removal for access.
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.
MOT evidence shows suspension springs fracturing or becoming seriously weakened at 13.7 times the fleet average, with failures occurring from very low mileages including the 0-20,000 mile band. This pattern suggests material quality issues rather than normal fatigue failure, as springs should not fail at such low mileages under normal use.
Fractured suspension springs cause dangerous handling characteristics, excessive tyre wear, and potential damage to other suspension components. The vehicle may bottom out over bumps, striking the road surface. Immediate replacement prevents damage to dampers and other components.
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.
MOT data reveals suspension pins, bushes, or joints wearing excessively at 12.9 times the national average, with failures concentrated from 20,000 miles onwards. This premature wear pattern suggests either inadequate lubrication, poor sealing allowing contamination, or insufficient component durability for the vehicle's weight and intended use.
Excessive suspension component wear degrades handling, increases tyre wear, and can lead to component failure. Worn bushes and joints affect wheel alignment and braking stability. Progressive replacement of worn components is required to maintain safe handling characteristics.
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 Musso common problems page.
Based on 9k real DVSA MOT tests, the SsangYong Musso fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... at 402x the fleet average, followed by transmission joint, belt or chain worn (219x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full SsangYong Musso 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 Musso service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The SsangYong Musso has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues 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.
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 Musso, 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 Musso issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.