1998 Ssangyong Korando 2.9L Diesel · S885 BFW

A repeated pattern of front-end and brake-related deterioration defines the mechanical history of this 28-year-old SsangYong Korando. Across the seven tests on file since 2020, four failures have been recorded, with the most recent attempt on 14 March 2025 refused on multiple major defects concerning both nearside and offside front drive shaft CV boots and both front suspension arm ball joint dust covers, accompanied by a worn anti-roll bar pin or bush advisory on the nearside front. Even the passes between 2021 and 2024 were not clean, carrying persistent advisories around corroded front-to-rear brake pipes (notably the offside front), chassis corrosion noted in 2024, a minor exhaust gas leak in 2024, and an upper suspension arm ball joint play advisory in 2022 that aligns with the more serious ball joint dust cover failures seen in 2021 and 2025. Taken together, the record paints a vehicle with ongoing front suspension, driveshaft, and underbody corrosion concerns rather than an improving trend, and the 2025 result indicates the issues remain active. Recorded mileage stands at 101,247 miles, equating to roughly 3,616 miles per year over the vehicle's 28-year life, which is notably low for the age. The mileage progression between tests is modest and broadly consistent with limited or occasional running rather than steady daily use, with no large single-year jumps visible in the recorded data. Mechanically, this level of annual mileage is more likely to bring deterioration through standing still — dried boots, perished rubber dust covers, surface corrosion on exposed underbody components, and seized brake calipers from infrequent operation — than wear from high mileages. The CV boot splits and ball joint dust cover failures on record are consistent with age-related perishing rather than high-mileage wear, and the binding offside front service brake flagged in 2022 is a typical consequence of a vehicle that sees only light, irregular use. A prospective buyer should approach this Korando with the front axle as the primary inspection focus. Both front drive shaft CV boots have failed at recent tests, so check for fresh grease around the inner and outer CV joints, torn or perished rubber boots, and any clicking or knocking from the front under load or on full lock. The front suspension arm ball joints and their dust covers have been repeatedly problematic; on a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks over uneven surfaces, particularly from the offside front where play was first noted in 2022, and feel for any vagueness or rattling through the steering. The anti-roll bar pin or bush advisory from 2025 warrants checking for body roll looseness and any clunk when changing direction at low speed, while the slight front wheel bearing play recorded in 2020 should be evaluated for any humming that rises with speed or changes when cornering. The brake system and underbody corrosion require equally close attention. The offside front brake pipe has carried corrosion advisories at four consecutive tests between 2021 and 2024, with the front-to-rear pipe also flagged in the same period, so inspect the brake lines along their full length for surface rust, pitting, or any sign of sealing compounds or grease masking deeper decay, and pump the pedal firmly to check for sponginess. The 2024 chassis corrosion advisory and the exhaust mounting and gas leak advisories suggest the underside should be examined on a ramp for structural integrity around mountings, sills, and outriggers, listening on the test drive for any exhaust rasp or whistle under load. Finally, verify the offside front brake caliper is releasing cleanly after use, as the 2022 excessively binding issue could recur on a lightly used vehicle of this age, and confirm the windscreen washer system functions, as it was deemed insufficient at the 2022 failure.