Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

37% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,063 vehicles, the 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (44.9% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (40.4% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (39.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Ssangyong Tivoli (2018)

1,063 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.9% first-time pass rate

2018 Ssangyong Tivoli

CarHunch analysed 1,063 real MOT records for the 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2018 Tivoli passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 82.8%, though petrol versions (84.9%) are meaningfully more reliable than diesels (81.2%). The major concern here is that 37% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above acceptable—which suggests systemic issues buyers should investigate thoroughly before purchase.

These cars are running lower mileage than typical for their age at just over 36,000 miles on average, yet still rack up 1.23 failures and 6.4 advisories per test, pointing to build quality or component durability problems rather than wear-and-tear. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the brake system, steering, and suspension, since dangerous defects cluster in these areas on this model.

The 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli has a decent first-time pass rate (82.9%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

82.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

37%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.23

Over 6.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

38k

Middle half: 26k–50k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 6.4 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,063 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,063 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 44.9%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 40.4%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Lighting 15.9%

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources · Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources · Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps · …

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Other issues 12.9%

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,063 Ssangyong Tivoli cars.

Before you buy a 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli

Based on MOT data from 1,063 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 37% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (56%)	596	81.2%	1.37
Petrol (44%)	467	84.9%	1.06

Colour Breakdown

Based on 6,598 Ssangyong Tivoli vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 23.1%

1,525

Blue 18%

1,185

Black 17.6%

1,161

Red 16%

1,053

Silver 15.9%

1,048

Grey 8.7%

576

Brown 0.4%

Green 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

38,030

typical

26,019

low mileage

50,342

high mileage

Half of all 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli vehicles fall between 26,019 and 50,342 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 26,019 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 26,019–50,342 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 Ssangyong Tivolis sit.

⚠ Over 67,961 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 Ssangyong Tivoli — Still on the Road

Almost all 2018 Ssangyong Tivolis are still on the road.

Strong survival — 1,022 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

6.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.23

Avg failures per vehicle

6.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ssangyong Tivoli: All Tivoli years → Which year to buy? →

2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021

Or browse all models: Ssangyong →

Compare with another model

See how the 2018 Ssangyong Tivoli stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing