2021 Fiat Talento: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Brake pads2.3× usual
  Fiat Talento

  14% All 2021 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.1% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Shock absorbers5.8× usual
  Fiat Talento

  8.1% All 2021 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, 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.

• Brake lights13.3× usual
  Fiat Talento

  4% All 2021 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.2% 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.

Common 2021 Fiat Talento MOT failures and advisories

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

• Brakes
  23% 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
  22% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  13% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• 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 2021 Fiat Talento

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

1. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2021 Fiat Talento as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 2021 Fiat Talento as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 13.3× as often on the 2021 Fiat Talento as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?