Used car guide

2012 Fiat Fiorino: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Fiat Fiorinos, from 629 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

629MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,700typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Fiat Fiorinos than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Engine oil leaks2.8× usual
    Fiat Fiorino
    20.3% All 2012 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Shock absorbers2.6× usual
    Fiat Fiorino
    16.9% All 2012 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 1.7% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Diesel smoke emissions9.6× usual
    Fiat Fiorino
    4.8% All 2012 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.5% of all 2012 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.

  • Windscreen2.4× usual
    Fiat Fiorino
    7.2% All 2012 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2012 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.

  • Headlights1.9× usual
    Fiat Fiorino
    9.1% All 2012 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.9% of all 2012 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.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    37% 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
    32% 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
    25% 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
    24% 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 Fiorino?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021626Tyres 32%
2019804Tyres 32%
2015701Tyres 40%
2014820Suspension 42%
2013768Tyres 42%
2011687Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Fiat Fiorinos registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score