Used car guide

2007 Fiat Bravo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Fiat Bravos, from 671 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

671MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
5,500typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Fiat Bravos than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Exhaust system2.6× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    24.1% All 2007 cars
    9.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 2.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Sub-frame2.5× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    19.5% All 2007 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    14.3% All 2007 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 3.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.1× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    4.9% All 2007 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

By area

The share of 2007 Fiat Bravo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    40% 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
    36% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    27% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% 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
2009903Suspension 55%
20081,001Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Fiat Bravos registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score