2017 Fiat Fullback: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Fiat Fullback?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Fiat Fullback than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Rigid brake pipes10.1× usual
  Fiat Fullback

  10.1% All 2017 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.1% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints17.5× usual
  Fiat Fullback

  3.5% All 2017 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Shock absorbers1.8× usual
  Fiat Fullback

  5.5% All 2017 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.5% of all 2017 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.

• Windscreen1.8× usual
  Fiat Fullback

  3.7% All 2017 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2017 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.

• Number plate lights1.8× usual
  Fiat Fullback

  3.6% All 2017 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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.

Common 2017 Fiat Fullback MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Fiat Fullback MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  26% 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
  20% 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
  12% 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
  11% 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
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Fiat Fullback

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

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 10.1× as often on the 2017 Fiat Fullback as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 17.5× as often on the 2017 Fiat Fullback as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2017 Fiat Fullback as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?