2017 Fiat Qubo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 Fiat Qubo passed 85.6% of its 1,214 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail at 13.6%, so the 2017 Qubo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.8%) and tyres (4.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, wipers and shock absorbers — coil spring alone was recorded 55 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.1% in the 0-30k band and 22.9% in the 60-90k band, a 11.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.8% | 83 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.9% | 59 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.9% | 47 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 34 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 30 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.9% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 55 |
| 2 | Wipers | 49 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 43 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 36 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 23 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
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 | 22.6% | 274 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 137 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.4% | 90 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.2% | 87 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 28 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 21 |
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 | 656 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 421 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 109 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 817 | 15.4% |
| Petrol | 397 | 12.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 234 | 10.3% |
| 2022 | 234 | 11.5% |
| 2023 | 247 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 249 | 15.7% |
| 2025 | 250 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Qubo
On a 2017 Qubo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (6.8% 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.
- Tyres (4.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (3.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2017 Fiat Qubos pass their MOT?
85.6% of the 1,214 2017 Fiat Qubo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Fiat Qubo?
Suspension, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by tyres (4.9%).
Does the 2017 Qubo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 22.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,214 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.