Used car guide

2021 Ssangyong Tivoli: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Ssangyong Tivolis, from 568 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

568MOT tests in 2025
82%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
6,600typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Ssangyong Tivolis than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake pads2.2× usual
    Ssangyong Tivoli
    14.8% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.2% of all 2021 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.

By area

The share of 2021 Ssangyong Tivoli MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    20% 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
    11% 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
    8% 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.

  • 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.

Looking at a Ssangyong Tivoli?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022539Tyres 24%
2020512Tyres 28%
2019758Tyres 29%
20181,085Brakes 33%
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 2021 Ssangyong Tivolis registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score