2006 Fiat Doblo — MOT failures & pass rate
12,906 MOT tests on the 2006 Fiat Doblo are in this dataset, and 71.5% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (29.5% fail rate), the 2006 Doblo comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests against 11.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,034 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.5% versus 17.4%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 27.1% fail against 28.7% for diesel, a 1.6-point gap across 12,906 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 31.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 2,125 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 1,514 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 1,115 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 1,115 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.5% | 1,099 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.2% | 934 |
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 | 1,034 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 753 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 670 |
| 4 | Wipers | 669 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 578 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 566 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 31.3% | 4,042 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.8% | 3,722 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.6% | 3,433 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 2,835 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 1,967 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 1,955 |
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 | 144 | 17.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,223 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,933 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,807 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 2,654 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 2,099 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 10,891 | 28.7% |
| Petrol | 2,015 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,341 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 2,976 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 2,567 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 2,195 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 1,827 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Doblo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Doblos pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 12,906 2006 Fiat Doblo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Fiat Doblo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 2006 Doblo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,906 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.