2008 Fiat Ducato — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 29,619 MOT tests, the 2008 Fiat Ducato recorded an 83.3% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail 28.8% of the time, so this is 12.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests against 6.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,334 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.8% versus 11.4%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 14.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 3,197 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.1% | 1,820 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.0% | 1,200 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 1,168 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 994 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 909 |
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 | 1,334 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 803 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 789 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 675 |
| 5 | Wipers | 673 |
| 6 | Washers | 643 |
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 | 14.1% | 4,160 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 4,060 |
| 3 | Tyres | 12.3% | 3,647 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 3,603 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 1,897 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 1,397 |
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 | 6,389 | 11.4% |
| 30-60k | 15,304 | 14.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,812 | 20.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,416 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,062 | 29.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,608 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,134 | 16.0% |
| 2022 | 6,094 | 16.8% |
| 2023 | 5,996 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 5,714 | 16.9% |
| 2025 | 5,681 | 17.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Ducato
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.1% 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 (4.0% 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.
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 Ducatos pass their MOT?
83.3% of the 29,619 2008 Fiat Ducato MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Fiat Ducato?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests, followed by brakes (6.1%).
Does the 2008 Ducato get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 29,619 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.