2021 SsangYong Tivoli — MOT failures & pass rate
339 MOT tests on the 2021 SsangYong Tivoli are in this dataset, and 89.1% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (7.2% fail rate), the 2021 Tivoli comes out 3.7pp worse. Failures cluster in visibility, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (5.0%) and brakes (4.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and malfunction indicator lamp — wipers alone was recorded 15 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 5.0% | 17 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.1% | 14 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.8% | 13 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.2% | 11 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 7 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.6% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 15 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 12 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 6 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 5 |
| 5 | Washers | 4 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 21.5% | 73 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.0% | 61 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.4% | 15 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 15 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.2% | 11 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.1% | 7 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 229 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 94 | 16.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 222 | 12.2% |
| Petrol | 117 | 8.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 164 | 11.0% |
| 2025 | 170 | 11.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Tivoli
On a 2021 Tivoli, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (5.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (4.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Tyres (3.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 SsangYong Tivolis pass their MOT?
89.1% of the 339 2021 SsangYong Tivoli MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 SsangYong Tivoli?
Visibility, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by brakes (4.1%).
Does the 2021 Tivoli get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 16.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 339 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.