2006 Fiat Croma — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 605 MOT tests, the 2006 Fiat Croma recorded a 72.7% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.4%) and suspension (11.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 39 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.4% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 34.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.0% in 2021 to 21.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 87 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 71 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.8% | 59 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 42 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 34 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 34 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 39 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 36 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 36 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 24 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 23 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 22 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.7% | 210 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.1% | 194 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.3% | 177 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.3% | 141 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 104 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 100 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 40 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 154 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 179 | 26.8% |
| 120-150k | 159 | 32.1% |
| 150k+ | 67 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 474 | 26.6% |
| Petrol | 131 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 207 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 166 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 100 | 23.0% |
| 2024 | 81 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 51 | 21.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Croma
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (9.8% 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 2006 Fiat Cromas pass their MOT?
72.7% of the 605 2006 Fiat Croma MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Fiat Croma?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 2006 Croma get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 605 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.