2003 Fiat Doblo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Fiat Doblo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Fiat Doblo than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.9× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  17.8% All 2003 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11%, against 3.1% of all 2003 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.

• Headlights1.8× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  20.5% All 2003 cars

  11.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 4.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Individual direction indicators3.3× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  10.5% All 2003 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Braking performance2× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  14.6% All 2003 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.6%, against 3.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Exhaust system1.7× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  17.1% All 2003 cars

  10%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

Common 2003 Fiat Doblo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Fiat Doblo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  52% 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
  48% 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
  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.

• Tyres
  37% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  21% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Exhaust and emissions
  21% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Fiat Doblo

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2003 Fiat Doblo as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2003 Fiat Doblo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2003 Fiat Doblo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?