Used car guide

2004 Fiat Stilo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Fiat Stilos, from 170 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 170 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

170MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,100typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

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

  • Exhaust system2.1× usual
    Fiat Stilo
    20.6% All 2004 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    49% 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
    42% 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
    35% 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
    34% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    26% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    22% 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.

Looking at a Fiat Stilo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006122Suspension 48%
2005110Suspension 54%

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