2017 Fiat Burstner — MOT failures & pass rate
1,185 MOT tests on the 2017 Fiat Burstner are in this dataset, and 93.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (12.7% fail rate), the 2017 Burstner comes out 6.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.7%) and visibility (2.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, outline marker lamp and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 34 times.
The trend is worsening — 3.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 6.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 44 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.9% | 34 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.4% | 17 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.4% | 16 |
| 5 | Tyres | 0.5% | 6 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 34 |
| 2 | Outline marker lamp | 33 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 4 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 14 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 8 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 7 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.5% | 89 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 28 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.8% | 21 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.7% | 20 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.1% | 13 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,059 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 119 | 7.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 237 | 3.8% |
| 2022 | 239 | 6.3% |
| 2023 | 238 | 5.9% |
| 2024 | 232 | 8.2% |
| 2025 | 239 | 6.7% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Burstner
On a 2017 Burstner, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (1.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2017 Fiat Burstners pass their MOT?
93.8% of the 1,185 2017 Fiat Burstner MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Fiat Burstner?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.7% of tests, followed by visibility (2.9%).
Does the 2017 Burstner get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 7.6% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,185 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.