Used car guide

2012 Fiat Qubo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Fiat Qubos, from 778 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

778MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

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

  • Shock absorbers2.4× usual
    Fiat Qubo
    15.8% All 2012 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, 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.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    41% 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
    36% 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
    24% 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
    22% 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
    14% 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
    10% 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
2013589Suspension 37%
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 2012 Fiat Qubos registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score