2016 Ssangyong Korando 2.2L Diesel · VE16 KZG

The vehicle has a pattern of recurring mechanical failures spanning approximately three years, beginning with a complete failure in June 2023 involving the parking brake and a wheel bearing, followed by a partial passing in November 2024 with steering rack free play, and then another full failing in late November 2025 that retained the same core advisories plus additional issues. Despite recording a final pass on 2025-11-18, the presence of multiple active advisories—brake pad wear on both front and rear axles, an offside rear tyre worn near legal limits, anti-roll bar linkage play, and front wheel bearing play—indicates underlying systemic issues rather than isolated incidents. The overall trajectory suggests the vehicle remains in a state of ongoing maintenance requirement rather than achieving stable roadworthiness, with the latest test cycle confirming persistent deterioration in critical safety systems. At 110,424 miles on a ten-year-old chassis, the annual accumulation of roughly 11,000 miles aligns with expected depreciation for this model class, though the distribution of mileage increase between test cycles warrants attention. The gap between the 2023-06-13 failure and the 2024-11-06 passing shows minimal mileage accrual during that period, while the jump from the 2023-06-15 fail to the 2025-11-18 results represents a substantial mileage increase that likely coincides with the escalating nature of the reported faults. This pattern of mounting wear on braking, suspension, and steering components suggests that the vehicle's high-mileage status has accelerated the degradation of these systems, particularly where the original failures were identified. The brake system presents the most serious concern, with front and rear pads showing consistent wear across multiple assessments, indicating either premature material consumption or inadequate maintenance throughout the vehicle's operational life. During a test drive, the driver should monitor for any vibration, pulsation, or spongy feel when applying the brakes, especially on hard stops, as the pads may be approaching critical thickness. The offside rear tyre sitting close to legal limits and worn on the edge further complicates handling dynamics and could indicate uneven wear patterns or alignment issues that have progressed since the last failure. Additionally, the anti-roll bar linkage ball joint exhibiting slight play and the front wheel bearing also displaying play represent potential sources of vibration and steering instability under load. For a prospective buyer, the primary actionable items stem from the brake system, suspension linkage, and steering components. Before committing, verify that the parking brake operates fully and independently on both sides, checking for any dragging or spongy pedal travel. A test drive should include aggressive cornering and braking maneuvers to assess whether the anti-roll bar and wheel bearings exhibit abnormal noises or excessive movement. Inspect the tyre pressure and tread depth carefully on the offside rear tyre, ensuring it meets legal minimums and is not visibly worn on the outer edge. Finally, examine the front and rear brake caliper areas for signs of fluid leakage or corrosion around the hardware, as compromised brake lines or caliper sealing would compound the existing pad wear and create immediate safety risks.