Used car guide

2018 Fiat Talento: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Fiat Talentos, from 253 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 253 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

253MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
13,100typical miles a year
7.6×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Fiat Talentos than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Track rod ends7.6× usual
    Fiat Talento
    13% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 0.8% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Shock absorbers4.6× usual
    Fiat Talento
    13.4% All 2018 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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 2018 Fiat Talento MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    38% 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
    25% 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
    23% 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
    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.

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    7% 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 Talento?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021316Brakes 22%
2020141Brakes 23%
2019151Suspension 32%
2017578Suspension 47%
2016107Suspension 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Fiat Talentos registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score