2005 Fiat Doblo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,908 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Fiat Doblo, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.3% was in line with the average for vans of a similar age (70.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.4% in the 150k+ group versus 24.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 1,626 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 1,115 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.1% | 877 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 765 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.9% | 627 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.0% | 554 |
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 | 1,014 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 770 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 529 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 480 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 436 |
| 6 | Wipers | 408 |
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 | 33.7% | 2,664 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.9% | 2,367 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.7% | 2,271 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 27.7% | 2,190 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 1,281 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.1% | 1,033 |
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 | 91 | 24.2% |
| 30-60k | 702 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,500 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,210 | 31.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,719 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,599 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,667 | 30.8% |
| Petrol | 241 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,107 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 1,814 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 1,594 | 32.0% |
| 2024 | 1,307 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 1,086 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Doblo
Before buying a 2005 Fiat Doblo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.1% 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 (11.1% 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 2005 Fiat Doblos pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 7,908 2005 Fiat Doblo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Fiat Doblo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.6% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 2005 Doblo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 0-30k band to 32.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,908 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.