2005 Fiat Multipla — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 807 MOT tests, the 2005 Fiat Multipla recorded a 66.9% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the 2005 Multipla comes out 5.6pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 19.7% of all tests — 5.0 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and wipers — pins and bushes alone was recorded 63 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 Multipla fails 31.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 35.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.7 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 45.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.7% | 159 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 119 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.1% | 98 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.4% | 92 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.7% | 54 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.6% | 53 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 63 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 53 |
| 3 | Wipers | 50 |
| 4 | Joints | 43 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 42 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 42 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 45.9% | 370 |
| 2 | Tyres | 34.1% | 275 |
| 3 | Brakes | 32.1% | 259 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.6% | 174 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.2% | 163 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.4% | 132 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 80 | 31.3% |
| 60-90k | 205 | 32.2% |
| 90-120k | 212 | 34.9% |
| 120-150k | 205 | 34.2% |
| 150k+ | 80 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 628 | 32.8% |
| Petrol | 179 | 34.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 283 | 32.9% |
| 2022 | 197 | 32.5% |
| 2023 | 142 | 33.1% |
| 2024 | 109 | 35.8% |
| 2025 | 76 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Multipla
On a 2005 Multipla, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (19.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.1% 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.
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 Multiplas pass their MOT?
66.9% of the 807 2005 Fiat Multipla MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Fiat Multipla?
Suspension, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.8%).
Does the 2005 Multipla get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.3% in the 30-60k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 807 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.