2008 Fiat Multipla — MOT failures & pass rate
771 MOT tests on the 2008 Fiat Multipla are in this dataset, and 67.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.9% of the time, so this is 6.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 19.2% of tests against 16.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, rbt (sp) and malfunction indicator lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 51 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 28.6% in the 30-60k band and 33.3% in the 150k+ band, a 4.8-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.3% in 2021 to 28.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.2% | 148 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 123 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.2% | 86 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 72 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.9% | 61 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 58 |
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 | 51 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 41 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 40 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 40 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 34 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 32 |
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 | 37.6% | 290 |
| 2 | Tyres | 35.1% | 271 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.7% | 198 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.7% | 144 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 119 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.2% | 102 |
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 | 154 | 28.6% |
| 60-90k | 217 | 34.6% |
| 90-120k | 180 | 32.8% |
| 120-150k | 147 | 35.4% |
| 150k+ | 57 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 239 | 34.3% |
| 2022 | 195 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 146 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 115 | 35.6% |
| 2025 | 76 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Multipla
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 19.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (19.2% 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 (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.2% 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 2008 Fiat Multiplas pass their MOT?
67.3% of the 771 2008 Fiat Multipla MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Fiat Multipla?
Suspension, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.0%).
Does the 2008 Multipla get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.6% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 771 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.