2012 Fiat Doblo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Fiat Doblo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Fiat Doblo petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Exhaust system3.3× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  16.4% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

• Headlights2.6× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  10.3% All 2012 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.7% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Individual direction indicators2.3× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  6.7% All 2012 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

• Link ball joint covers2.3× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  4.6% All 2012 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Fiat Doblo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Fiat Doblo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Tyres
  28% 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
  26% 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
  21% 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
  17% 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
  9% 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 2012 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 3.3× as often on the 2012 Fiat Doblo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2012 Fiat Doblo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2012 Fiat Doblo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?