2011 Fiat Scudo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Fiat Scudo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Fiat Scudo than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints6.2× usual
  Fiat Scudo

  25.5% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 14.1%, against 2% of all 2011 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.

• Number plate lights2.1× usual
  Fiat Scudo

  15.7% All 2011 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.2% of all 2011 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.

• Ball joint2.4× usual
  Fiat Scudo

  13.7% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 3.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
  Fiat Scudo

  15.2% All 2011 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2011 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.

• Sidelights2.3× usual
  Fiat Scudo

  12.5% All 2011 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12%, against 4.8% of all 2011 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 2011 Fiat Scudo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Fiat Scudo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  43% 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
  38% 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.

• Brakes
  36% 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
  30% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  26% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Fiat Scudo

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

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 6.2× as often on the 2011 Fiat Scudo as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2011 Fiat Scudo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2011 Fiat Scudo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?