Used car guide

2009 Fiat Bravo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Fiat Bravos, from 903 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

903MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
5,900typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Fiat Bravos than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Exhaust system2.9× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    24.3% All 2009 cars
    8.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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
    16.8% All 2009 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 3.9% of all 2009 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.

  • Washers2.4× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    9% All 2009 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 3.8% of all 2009 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    10% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Transmission oil leaks3.2× usual
    Fiat Bravo
    4.1% All 2009 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

By area

The share of 2009 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.

  • Brakes
    38% 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
    37% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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
    18% 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
20081,001Suspension 57%
2007671Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Fiat Bravos registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score