SsangYong Tivoli years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
All 3 SsangYong Tivoli years have MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year.
- Below the average for their first-use year2016–2018
- Above the average for their first-use yearNone
- Can't be told apart from averageNone
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 67.0% to 69.8%.
In 2025, 68.4% of the 4,368 initial MOT tests on SsangYong Tivoli cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 77.4%. That is 8.9 points below the same-age average.
Check a specific Tivoli
SsangYong Tivoli MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018age 7 | 1,08546,100 | 70.3%±2.8 | −10.6 ptsall: 80.9% | |
| 2017age 8 | 1,29553,500 | 69.1%±2.6 | −9.1 ptsall: 78.2% | |
| 2016age 9 | 1,98860,100 | 67.0%±2.1 | −7.9 ptsall: 74.9% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upDoes mileage matter?
71.5% of SsangYong Tivoli tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 62.5% at 60,000 to 89,999 miles. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 80.1% and 74.5%.
| Miles at the test | Tests | Passed first time | Against all vehicles, same age and mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30,000–59,999 | 1,964 | 71.5%±2.1 | −8.6 ptsall: 80.1% |
| 60,000–89,999 | 1,414 | 62.5%±2.6 | −12.0 ptsall: 74.5% |
Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Tivoli tests were below average in every band shown.
Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all SsangYong Tivoli tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.
Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000, 90,000–119,999 and 120,000 or more. 1 test (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and is left out. How we count
Common Tivoli problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.
Most common MOT failures on the SsangYong Tivoli
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsLights and electrics | 24.0%331 tests | 2.9% |
| Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes | 12.4%171 tests | 8.6% |
| Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres | 9.4%129 tests | 9.3% |
| Headlamp not working on dipped beamLights and electrics | 8.8%122 tests | 4.5% |
| Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors | 8.4%116 tests | 6.8% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks | 8.0%111 tests | 6.0% |
| Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres | 7.5%103 tests | 6.0% |
| Washer provides insufficient washer liquidWindscreen, wipers, mirrors | 5.4%74 tests | 4.7% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirementsBrakes | 5.3%73 tests | 2.1% |
| Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively wornSuspension | 5.3%73 tests | 1.4% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Tivoli's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing a Tivoli
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly and check the car stops in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Tyres
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
Windscreen, wipers, mirrors
- Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
- Run the wipers and washers and check the blades clear the screen without smearing.
- Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a Tivoli's MOT historySsangYong Tivoli questions
Which SsangYong Tivoli years have lower MOT pass rates?
Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2016–2018. None is clearly above average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.
Is the SsangYong Tivoli reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 68.4% of initial MOT tests on SsangYong Tivoli cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 77.4%. That is 8.9 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common SsangYong Tivoli problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 42.9% of failed tests), brakes (in 29.2% of failed tests) and tyres (in 28.4% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 7-year-old SsangYong Tivoli?
At their 2025 MOT tests, SsangYong Tivoli cars first used in 2018, about 7 years old, had a median of 46,100 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Tivoli's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any SsangYong Tivoli
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther SsangYong models
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all SsangYong Tivoli cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count