2020 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Number plate lights14.6× usual
  Ssangyong Tivoli

  10.2% All 2020 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.2% of all 2020 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.

• Brake pads1.9× usual
  Ssangyong Tivoli

  14.5% All 2020 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Wipers2.3× usual
  Ssangyong Tivoli

  7.1% All 2020 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Common 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  25% 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.

• Brakes
  19% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  16% 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
  10% 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
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

• Suspension
  2% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 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 14.6× as often on the 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?