2016 Fiat Doblo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Fiat Doblo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Fiat Doblo diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Coil springs4.9× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  15.7% All 2016 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 2.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Windscreen3.1× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  6.8% All 2016 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

• Engine oil leaks3.1× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  6.2% All 2016 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2016 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  8.7% All 2016 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.9% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Side repeaters5.3× usual
  Fiat Doblo

  3.2% All 2016 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.4% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Common 2016 Fiat Doblo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Fiat Doblo diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  33% 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
  32% 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
  19% 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
  19% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  12% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Exhaust and emissions
  7% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Fiat Doblo diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 2016 Fiat Doblo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2016 Fiat Doblo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2016 Fiat Doblo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?