2005 Fiat Doblo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,887 MOT tests, the 2005 Fiat Doblo recorded a 69.1% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail 29.8% of the time, so this is 1.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.8% of all tests — 6.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,154 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 29.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.8% | 1,853 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.3% | 1,270 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.3% | 1,008 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 879 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 714 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.0% | 624 |
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 | 1,154 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 882 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 631 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 581 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 488 |
| 6 | Wipers | 466 |
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 | 33.5% | 2,977 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.3% | 2,692 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.7% | 2,547 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 28.1% | 2,499 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.7% | 1,483 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 1,218 |
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 | 94 | 24.5% |
| 30-60k | 739 | 23.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,683 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,509 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,997 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,769 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,646 | 31.0% |
| Petrol | 241 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,397 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 2,054 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 1,779 | 31.9% |
| 2024 | 1,469 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 1,188 | 31.8% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Doblo
On a 2005 Doblo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.3% 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 (11.3% 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 2005 Fiat Doblos pass their MOT?
69.1% of the 8,887 2005 Fiat Doblo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Fiat Doblo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.8% of tests, followed by suspension (14.3%).
Does the 2005 Doblo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.5% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,887 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.