Used car guide

2018 Ssangyong Tivoli: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Ssangyong Tivolis, from 1,085 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,085MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
6,600typical miles a year
9.8×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Ssangyong Tivolis than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Number plate lights9.8× usual
    Ssangyong Tivoli
    17.7% All 2018 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes6.4× usual
    Ssangyong Tivoli
    5.1% All 2018 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Braking performance3.6× usual
    Ssangyong Tivoli
    5% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

  • Wheels3.4× usual
    Ssangyong Tivoli
    3.1% All 2018 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2018 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.

  • Headlights2.6× usual
    Ssangyong Tivoli
    2.9% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

By area

The share of 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    33% 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
    31% 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
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    9% 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.

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    3% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022539Tyres 24%
2021568Tyres 29%
2020512Tyres 28%
2019758Tyres 29%
20171,296Tyres 33%
20161,989Brakes 36%
2015983Tyres 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Ssangyong Tivolis registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score