2013 Fiat Fiorino: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Fiat Fiorino?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Fiat Fiorino than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Shock absorbers3.4× usual
  Fiat Fiorino

  18.1% All 2013 cars

  5.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 1.2% of all 2013 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.

• Engine oil leaks3.6× usual
  Fiat Fiorino

  16% All 2013 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Number plate lights2.3× usual
  Fiat Fiorino

  12.7% All 2013 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Windscreen3× usual
  Fiat Fiorino

  7.7% All 2013 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

• Individual direction indicators3.6× usual
  Fiat Fiorino

  6.1% All 2013 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

Common 2013 Fiat Fiorino MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Fiat Fiorino MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  41% 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.

• Tyres
  39% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  34% 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
  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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  18% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  16% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Fiat Fiorino

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 3.4× as often on the 2013 Fiat Fiorino as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2013 Fiat Fiorino as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2013 Fiat Fiorino as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?