2021 Fiat Doblo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Fiat Doblo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Fiat Doblo than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Shock absorbers5.8× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  8.1% All 2021 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.3% of all 2021 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.

• Pedal40× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  4% All 2021 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Engine warning light10× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  4% All 2021 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.4% of all 2021 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.

• Windscreen2.9× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  4.9% All 2021 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2021 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints8.2× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  3.3% All 2021 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.1% of all 2021 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.

Common 2021 Fiat Doblo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Fiat Doblo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  27% 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
  19% 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
  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.

• Suspension
  14% 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.

• 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
  4% 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 2021 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 shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 2021 Fiat Doblo as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the pedal? (Flagged at MOT 40× as often on the 2021 Fiat Doblo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 10× as often on the 2021 Fiat Doblo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?