Used car guide

2008 Fiat Bravo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Fiat Bravos, from 1,001 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,001MOT tests in 2025
48%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,800typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Fiat Bravos than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Exhaust system2.7× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    24.6% All 2008 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.

  • Headlights2× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    21.1% All 2008 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 4.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Washers2.6× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    10.2% All 2008 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.2%, against 3.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Track rod ends2.1× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    11.7% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.2× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    4.9% All 2008 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.1% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 2.5% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Number plate lights: 4.4% here, against 8.9% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Fiat Bravo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% 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.

  • Brakes
    42% 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
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    39% 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
    28% 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
    22% 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.

Looking at a Fiat Bravo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009903Suspension 55%
2007671Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Fiat Bravos registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score