2004 Fiat Doblo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Fiat Doblo passed 67.7% of its 6,972 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 29.9% of the time, so this is 2.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.2% of tests against 16.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 855 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.3% in the 0-30k band and 35.0% in the 150k+ band, a 9.8-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.2% | 1,406 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.6% | 1,160 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.4% | 862 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 811 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.4% | 583 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.2% | 505 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 855 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 849 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 718 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 566 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 390 |
| 6 | Wipers | 386 |
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 | 35.9% | 2,500 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.1% | 2,098 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.9% | 2,013 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 27.2% | 1,897 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 1,447 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.6% | 1,087 |
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 | 99 | 25.3% |
| 30-60k | 465 | 27.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,411 | 30.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,965 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,538 | 33.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,404 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,625 | 32.5% |
| Petrol | 343 | 28.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,039 | 31.8% |
| 2022 | 1,681 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 1,356 | 31.9% |
| 2024 | 1,058 | 33.5% |
| 2025 | 838 | 33.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Doblo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.6% 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 (12.4% 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 2004 Fiat Doblos pass their MOT?
67.7% of the 6,972 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 20.2% of tests, followed by suspension (16.6%).
Does the 2004 Doblo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.3% in the 0-30k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,972 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.