2019 Fiat Doblo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Fiat Doblo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Fiat Doblo than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Coil springs16× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  8% All 2019 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 0.4% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Engine warning light7× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  5.6% All 2019 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 0.8% of all 2019 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.

• Windscreen3.4× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  5.7% All 2019 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

• Side repeaters9.7× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  2.9% All 2019 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Headlight aim2.3× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  3.4% All 2019 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.5% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2019 Fiat Doblo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Fiat Doblo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  26% 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
  16% 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.

• Suspension
  16% 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
  15% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% 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
  3% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 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 coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 16× as often on the 2019 Fiat Doblo as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 7× as often on the 2019 Fiat Doblo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2019 Fiat Doblo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?