Used car guide

2005 Fiat Stilo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Fiat Stilo first registered in 2005 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 158 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 158 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

158MOTs of 2005 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
43%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
6,300typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Fiat Stilo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Fiat Stilo diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Coil springs2.3× usual
    Fiat Stilo
    24.1% All 2005 cars
    10.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.4%, against 2.9% of all 2005 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.

Common 2005 Fiat Stilo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Fiat Stilo diesel 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
    44% 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.

  • Tyres
    41% 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
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    24% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    15% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Fiat Stilo 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 2.3× as often on the 2005 Fiat Stilo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Fiat Stilo?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Fiat Stilo compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007212Suspension 53%
2006520Suspension 55%
2004702Suspension 54%
2003376Suspension 57%
2002159Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Fiat Stilo cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score