Used car guide

2009 Fiat Scudo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Fiat Scudos, from 433 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 433 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

433MOT tests in 2025
47%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
8,100typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints4.9× usual
    Fiat Scudo
    25.9% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 14.3%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Engine oil leaks2.8× usual
    Fiat Scudo
    29.6% All 2009 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Fiat Scudo
    15.5% All 2009 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 3.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.9× usual
    Fiat Scudo
    9% All 2009 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, 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 Scudo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    41% 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
    35% 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
    32% 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.

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    26% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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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%
2008961Suspension 50%
2007880Suspension 56%
2006588Suspension 53%
2005433Suspension 55%
2004320Suspension 56%
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 2009 Fiat Scudos registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score