2003 Fiat Stilo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Fiat Stilo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Fiat Stilo petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Exhaust system2.6× usual
  Fiat Stilo

  26.4% All 2003 cars

  10%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

• Sub-frame3.1× usual
  Fiat Stilo

  14.2% All 2003 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
  Fiat Stilo

  14.6% All 2003 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Common 2003 Fiat Stilo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Fiat Stilo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  54% 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.

• Brakes
  41% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  38% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  29% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  18% 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 2003 Fiat Stilo 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 2.6× as often on the 2003 Fiat Stilo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2003 Fiat Stilo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2003 Fiat Stilo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?