Used car guide

2011 Fiat Doblo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Fiat Doblos, from 1,736 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,736MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Fiat Doblos than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Coil springs2.1× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    21.9% All 2011 cars
    10.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 4.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Headlights2.2× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    13% All 2011 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 3.2% of all 2011 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.

  • Side repeaters4.2× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    5.4% All 2011 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.8% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Windscreen2.2× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    7.6% All 2011 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2011 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.

  • Diesel smoke emissions4.8× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    2.9% All 2011 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.5% of all 2011 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

Brake pads: 3.2% here, against 9.4% of all 2011 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 1.4% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Fiat Doblo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% 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
    26% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% 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
    14% 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%
20101,639Suspension 44%
20091,440Tyres 38%
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 2011 Fiat Doblos registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score