Used car guide

2009 Fiat Doblo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Fiat Doblos, from 1,440 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,440MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

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

  • Exhaust system2× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    17% All 2009 cars
    8.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, 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.

  • Windscreen2.5× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    8.5% All 2009 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2009 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.

  • Wipers1.9× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    6.7% All 2009 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.4% 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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3.1× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    2.5% All 2009 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Diesel smoke emissions2.4× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    2.2% All 2009 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.8% of all 2009 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

Coil springs: 4.6% here, against 12.4% of all 2009 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4% here, against 11.1% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Fiat Doblo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    38% 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
    33% 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
    28% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    18% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Fiat Doblo?

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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%
20081,751Suspension 41%
20071,887Suspension 49%
20061,385Suspension 48%
2005892Suspension 51%
2004621Suspension 53%

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