2007 Fiat Doblo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Fiat Doblo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Fiat Doblo petrol than on all cars registered in 2007.

• Exhaust system2.5× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  22.3% All 2007 cars

  8.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 2.5% of all 2007 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.

• Shock absorbers1.8× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  13.7% All 2007 cars

  7.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.1% of all 2007 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  7% All 2007 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 2.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Wipers1.8× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  7.3% All 2007 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.7% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Anti-roll bar5.6× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  2.8% All 2007 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2007 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.

Common 2007 Fiat Doblo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Fiat Doblo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% 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
  37% 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
  35% 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
  28% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  26% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• 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 2007 Fiat Doblo petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2007 Fiat Doblo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2007 Fiat Doblo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2007 Fiat Doblo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?