2019 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Number plate lights11.7× usual
  Ssangyong Tivoli

  14% All 2019 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 0.4% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Braking performance3× usual
  Ssangyong Tivoli

  2.7% All 2019 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Wheels3.3× usual
  Ssangyong Tivoli

  2.3% All 2019 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Common 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  24% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  23% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  20% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  1% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 11.7× as often on the 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?