2008 Fiat Doblo — MOT failures & pass rate
15,311 MOT tests on the 2008 Fiat Doblo are in this dataset, and 73.5% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 28.7% of the time, so this is 2.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests against 10.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and exhaust system — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,114 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.7% in the 0-30k band and 30.9% in the 150k+ band, a 15.2-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 23.5% fail against 27.7% for diesel, a 4.2-point gap across 15,311 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 30.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 2,172 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.2% | 1,556 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 1,265 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 1,244 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 1,069 |
| 6 | Brakes | 6.8% | 1,035 |
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 | 1,114 |
| 2 | Wipers | 854 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 735 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 556 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 548 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 543 |
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 | 30.8% | 4,709 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.1% | 3,851 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.6% | 3,772 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 2,879 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 2,376 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.2% | 2,021 |
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 | 415 | 15.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,521 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 4,003 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 3,880 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 2,569 | 29.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,842 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,048 | 27.7% |
| Petrol | 4,263 | 23.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,742 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 3,464 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 3,110 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 2,699 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 2,296 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Doblo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.2% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2008 Fiat Doblos pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 15,311 2008 Fiat Doblo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Fiat Doblo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.2%).
Does the 2008 Doblo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,311 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.