Used car guide

2012 Fiat Bravo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Fiat Bravos, from 227 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 227 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

227MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,100typical miles a year
51%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2012 Fiat Bravo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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
    43% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% 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
    10% 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
    9% 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
2013129Suspension 50%
2011333Suspension 54%
2010458Suspension 54%
2009903Suspension 55%
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 2012 Fiat Bravos registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score