Used car guide

2013 Fiat Doblo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Fiat Doblos, from 6,067 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,067MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
6,100typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Fiat Doblos than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Headlights2.4× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    8.9% All 2013 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2.6% of all 2013 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 repeaters3.6× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    3.6% All 2013 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.7% of all 2013 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.

  • Diesel smoke emissions4.6× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    2.3% All 2013 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.4% of all 2013 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.

  • Individual direction indicators1.8× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    3.2% All 2013 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.7% of all 2013 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.

  • Engine warning light1.9× usual
    Fiat Doblo
    3% All 2013 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.6% of all 2013 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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 6.1% here, against 13.9% of all 2013 cars. Brake pads: 2.1% here, against 9.8% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Fiat Doblo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    32% 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
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    25% 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.

  • Brakes
    16% 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
    10% 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
    9% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
20121,924Suspension 48%
20111,736Suspension 49%
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 2013 Fiat Doblos registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score