Used car guide

2009 Fiat Qubo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Fiat Qubos, from 391 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 391 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

391MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
5,800typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

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

  • Shock absorbers2.4× usual
    Fiat Qubo
    18.2% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2% of all 2009 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.

  • Windscreen2.6× usual
    Fiat Qubo
    8.7% All 2009 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.6× usual
    Fiat Qubo
    8.2% All 2009 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 1.4% of all 2009 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.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    52% 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
    34% 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
    31% 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
    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
    18% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019108Tyres 34%
2018115Tyres 34%
2017208Tyres 28%
2016169Tyres 32%
2015182Tyres 33%
2014292Suspension 38%
2013589Suspension 37%
2012778Suspension 41%
2011579Suspension 44%
2010567Suspension 51%

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