Used car guide

2004 Fiat Scudo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Fiat Scudos, from 320 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 320 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

320MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,000typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Fiat Scudos than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual
    Fiat Scudo
    20.9% All 2004 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.7%, against 2.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.7× usual
    Fiat Scudo
    17.5% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.7%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.4× usual
    Fiat Scudo
    9.4% All 2004 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

By area

The share of 2004 Fiat Scudo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% 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.

  • Brakes
    43% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    27% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    21% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Fiat Scudo?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022625Brakes 23%
2016121Lights and electrics 41%
2015262Lights and electrics 44%
2014316Lights and electrics 40%
2013388Lights and electrics 33%
2012439Lights and electrics 46%
2011503Lights and electrics 44%
2010371Lights and electrics 46%
2009433Suspension 46%
2008961Suspension 50%
2007880Suspension 56%
2006588Suspension 53%
2005433Suspension 55%
2003203Suspension 55%
2002132Suspension 48%
2001110Suspension 63%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Fiat Scudos registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score