Small SUV · 2015–2021 cars
SsangYong Tivoli reliability
The SsangYong Tivoli fails 26.6% of first MOT tests, 53% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 20,685 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a SsangYong Tivoli before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 26.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 53% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 20,685
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the SsangYong Tivoli ages
Each point is the share of SsangYong Tivolis of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | SsangYong Tivoli | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 17.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 22.1% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 24.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 28.2% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 30.5% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 32.8% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 35.9% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst SsangYong Tivoli years
2015 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 710 | 18.9% | 69% more fails | 21,075 |
| 2019 Tivoli | 1,933 | 19.7% | 60% more fails | 25,717 |
| 2018 Tivoli | 3,725 | 23.8% | 65% more fails | 33,193 |
| 2017 Tivoli | 4,277 | 26.8% | 59% more fails | 40,716 |
| 2016 Tivoli | 6,763 | 28.8% | 47% more fails | 47,704 |
| 2015 Tivoli | 3,098 | 31.7% | 46% more fails | 50,890 |
Common problems
What fails most on a SsangYong Tivoli
Its weak spot is brakes: 134% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.9%114% above avg
- Tyres8.9%71% above avg
- Brakes7.7%134% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.2%89% above avg
- Suspension2.1%35% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.8%47% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.6%39% below avg
- Wheels0.5%107% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.4%27% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Registration plate lamp not working 4.82% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.06% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.83% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.87% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 6
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.71% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 7
Windscreen washers not working 1.52% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
- 8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.33% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a SsangYong Tivoli's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.22%
- Brake pads wearing thin11.47%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.83%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.89%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy3.43%
- Brake discs showing some wear3.29%
Before you buy
What to check on a used SsangYong Tivoli
- 1
Registration plate lamp not working
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical SsangYong Tivoli covers about 7,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel50%
- Petrol49.9%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
White, Black, Blue, Red, Silver
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the SsangYong Tivoli compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus UX | 5.8% | 53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Urban Cruiser | 28.1% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru XV | 17.8% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen T-Cross | 10.6% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Kamiq | 10.7% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia XCeed | 12.4% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Tivoli | 26.6% | 53% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all SsangYong models.
Questions
SsangYong Tivoli questions, answered
Is the SsangYong Tivoli reliable?
On MOT results, the SsangYong Tivoli is well below average: it fails 26.6% of first MOT tests, 53% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 39 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a SsangYong Tivoli MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the SsangYong Tivoli are registration plate lamp not working (4.82% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3.06% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.83% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 9.9% of its tests.
Which SsangYong Tivoli year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (46% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (65% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a SsangYong Tivoli do a year?
A typical SsangYong Tivoli covers about 7,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a SsangYong Tivoli before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
Found a SsangYong Tivoli? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.