2018 Fiat Fiorino diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Fiat Fiorino diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Fiat Fiorino diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Number plate lights5.9× usual
  Fiat Fiorino

  8.3% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

• Shock absorbers3.6× usual
  Fiat Fiorino

  8.2% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.3% of all 2018 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.

• Engine oil leaks6.5× usual
  Fiat Fiorino

  6.5% All 2018 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2018 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.

• Windscreen3.9× usual
  Fiat Fiorino

  7.4% All 2018 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2018 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 warning light5.1× usual
  Fiat Fiorino

  4.6% All 2018 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 0.9% of all 2018 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 2018 Fiat Fiorino diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Fiat Fiorino diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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
  20% 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
  16% 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
  14% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  8% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Fiat Fiorino 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 number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 5.9× as often on the 2018 Fiat Fiorino diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2018 Fiat Fiorino diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the 2018 Fiat Fiorino diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?