2021 Fiat Doblo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,711 MOT tests, the 2021 Fiat Doblo recorded an 81.4% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail 13.9% of the time, so this is 4.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.5%) and brakes (6.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, malfunction indicator lamp and shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 203 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.3% in the 0-30k band and 23.8% in the 120-150k band, a 8.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.1% in 2023 to 17.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 353 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.7% | 315 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.9% | 278 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.2% | 247 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 204 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 195 |
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 | 203 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 154 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 152 |
| 4 | Pedal | 149 |
| 5 | Washers | 145 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 141 |
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 | 21.2% | 997 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 578 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.2% | 386 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 296 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.8% | 274 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 216 |
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 | 1,014 | 15.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,272 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,139 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 232 | 20.3% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 23.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,677 | 18.7% |
| Petrol | 34 | 5.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 42 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 2,398 | 19.6% |
| 2025 | 2,267 | 17.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Doblo
On a 2021 Doblo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.7% 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.
- Suspension (5.9% 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.
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 2021 Fiat Doblos pass their MOT?
81.4% of the 4,711 2021 Fiat Doblo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Fiat Doblo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.5% of tests, followed by brakes (6.7%).
Does the 2021 Doblo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.3% in the 0-30k band to 23.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,711 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.