2005 Fiat Ducato — MOT failures & pass rate
28,861 MOT tests on the 2005 Fiat Ducato are in this dataset, and 77.3% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (29.8% fail rate), the 2005 Ducato comes out 7.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.7% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 2,434 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.6% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 3,663 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.5% | 2,737 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.8% | 2,265 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 2,093 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 1,561 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.0% | 572 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,434 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 1,756 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,342 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 1,157 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 1,133 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 1,083 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.6% | 6,231 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.4% | 5,309 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.4% | 4,440 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 3,755 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.4% | 3,571 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.6% | 1,889 |
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 | 4,084 | 16.7% |
| 30-60k | 15,880 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 5,547 | 26.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,826 | 31.2% |
| 120-150k | 829 | 33.8% |
| 150k+ | 680 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,178 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 5,963 | 22.2% |
| 2023 | 5,807 | 22.6% |
| 2024 | 5,489 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 5,424 | 23.8% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Ducato
On a 2005 Ducato, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.5% 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 (7.8% 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 2005 Fiat Ducatos pass their MOT?
77.3% of the 28,861 2005 Fiat Ducato MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Fiat Ducato?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by brakes (9.5%).
Does the 2005 Ducato get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 0-30k band to 34.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,861 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.