2020 Fiat Doblo — MOT failures & pass rate
4,352 MOT tests on the 2020 Fiat Doblo are in this dataset, and 82.7% of them passed. That is 2.8 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 14.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.0%) and suspension (6.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are malfunction indicator lamp, coil spring and headlamp aim — malfunction indicator lamp alone was recorded 209 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Doblo fails 15.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 14.1% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.0 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 10.3% of tests failed in 2022 against 20.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.0% | 263 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.0% | 261 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 239 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.5% | 196 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.4% | 191 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 130 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 209 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 190 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 183 |
| 4 | Washers | 99 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 89 |
| 6 | Pedal | 83 |
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 | 20.8% | 907 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.8% | 512 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.6% | 288 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.5% | 197 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.0% | 174 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 158 |
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 | 1,597 | 15.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,523 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 807 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 316 | 21.2% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 14.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,878 | 18.4% |
| Petrol | 474 | 8.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 39 | 10.3% |
| 2023 | 1,389 | 15.3% |
| 2024 | 1,432 | 16.6% |
| 2025 | 1,486 | 20.1% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Doblo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (6.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.0% 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 (5.5% 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 2020 Fiat Doblos pass their MOT?
82.7% of the 4,352 2020 Fiat Doblo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Fiat Doblo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by suspension (6.0%).
Does the 2020 Doblo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.1% in the 0-30k band to 14.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,352 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.