2013 Fiat Scudo: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

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

  22.9% All 2013 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.5%, against 1.6% of all 2013 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 lights2.5× usual
  Fiat Scudo

  14% All 2013 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, 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.

• Exhaust system3× usual
  Fiat Scudo

  12% All 2013 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Ball joint2.5× usual
  Fiat Scudo

  11.6% All 2013 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.6% of all 2013 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.

• Sidelights2.7× usual
  Fiat Scudo

  10.1% All 2013 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.6%, against 3.3% 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 Scudo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 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
  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
  33% 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
  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.

• Suspension
  25% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  23% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  14% 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 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 8.2× as often on the 2013 Fiat Scudo as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2013 Fiat Scudo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2013 Fiat Scudo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?