2004 Fiat Doblo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,255 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Fiat Doblo, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 67.7% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.0% in the 150k+ group versus 25.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 1,269 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.5% | 1,030 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 766 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 718 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.2% | 511 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.3% | 458 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 757 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 748 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 646 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 488 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 342 |
| 6 | Wipers | 338 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.0% | 2,252 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.2% | 1,888 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.9% | 1,805 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.9% | 1,685 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.4% | 1,278 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.1% | 946 |
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 | 90 | 25.6% |
| 30-60k | 435 | 27.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,296 | 30.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,730 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,409 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,210 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,914 | 32.5% |
| Petrol | 337 | 29.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,827 | 31.8% |
| 2022 | 1,502 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 1,209 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 959 | 33.8% |
| 2025 | 758 | 33.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Doblo
Before buying a 2004 Fiat Doblo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.5% 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 (12.3% 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 2004 Fiat Doblos pass their MOT?
67.7% of the 6,255 2004 Fiat Doblo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Fiat Doblo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.3% of tests, followed by suspension (16.5%).
Does the 2004 Doblo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.6% in the 0-30k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,255 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.