2009 Fiat Doblo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Fiat Doblo passed 75.1% of its 11,158 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2009 Doblo comes out 3.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.1%) and suspension (9.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and exhaust system — headlamp aim alone was recorded 621 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.3% in the 0-30k band and 30.0% in the 150k+ band, a 16.7-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.4pp more often than petrol ones (27.0% vs 22.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 1,350 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.1% | 1,018 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 838 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 818 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.7% | 746 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.6% | 732 |
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 | 621 |
| 2 | Wipers | 585 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 530 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 428 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 411 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 338 |
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 | 29.3% | 3,270 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.3% | 2,600 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.2% | 2,592 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 1,746 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.4% | 1,716 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.9% | 1,213 |
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 | 549 | 13.3% |
| 30-60k | 3,111 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 3,186 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,132 | 28.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,199 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 974 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,657 | 27.0% |
| Petrol | 5,501 | 22.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,534 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 2,430 | 24.6% |
| 2023 | 2,285 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 2,055 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 1,854 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Doblo
On a 2009 Doblo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.1% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.5% 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 2009 Fiat Doblos pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 11,158 2009 Fiat Doblo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Fiat Doblo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.1% of tests, followed by suspension (9.1%).
Does the 2009 Doblo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,158 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.