Used car guide

2003 Fiat Doblo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Fiat Doblos, from 327 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 327 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

327MOT tests in 2025
49%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,300typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Fiat Doblos than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.7× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    18% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.9%, against 3.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

  • Individual direction indicators4× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    12.5% All 2003 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    15% All 2003 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.4%, against 3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Windscreen2.3× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    9.8% All 2003 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

By area

The share of 2003 Fiat Doblo 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
    48% 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
    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.

  • Tyres
    38% 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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    20% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022694Tyres 27%
20211,890Tyres 27%
20201,204Tyres 28%
20191,683Tyres 29%
20181,986Tyres 29%
20172,447Tyres 32%
20163,357Suspension 36%
20154,572Suspension 37%
20145,396Suspension 41%
20136,067Suspension 32%
20121,924Suspension 48%
20111,736Suspension 49%
20101,639Suspension 44%
20091,440Suspension 38%
20081,751Suspension 41%
20071,887Suspension 49%
20061,385Suspension 48%
2005892Suspension 51%
2004621Suspension 53%
2002148Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Fiat Doblos registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score