2006 Fiat Stilo — MOT failures & pass rate
1,754 MOT tests on the 2006 Fiat Stilo are in this dataset, and 66.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.2% of the time, so this is 6.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.0% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, exhaust system and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 226 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.6% in the 30-60k band and 43.0% in the 150k+ band, a 20.4-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.4pp more often than petrol ones (34.7% vs 32.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 369 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.4% | 306 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.9% | 192 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 150 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 139 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.0% | 122 |
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 | 226 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 105 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 92 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 90 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 89 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 86 |
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 | 38.9% | 682 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.6% | 519 |
| 3 | Brakes | 29.2% | 512 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.6% | 362 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 281 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.3% | 233 |
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 | 208 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 570 | 32.5% |
| 90-120k | 566 | 34.1% |
| 120-150k | 274 | 38.3% |
| 150k+ | 107 | 43.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,111 | 32.3% |
| Diesel | 643 | 34.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 598 | 34.6% |
| 2022 | 446 | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 329 | 36.2% |
| 2024 | 218 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 163 | 33.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Stilo
On a 2006 Stilo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.4% 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.
- Brakes (10.9% 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 2006 Fiat Stilos pass their MOT?
66.8% of the 1,754 2006 Fiat Stilo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Fiat Stilo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.0% of tests, followed by suspension (17.4%).
Does the 2006 Stilo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.6% in the 30-60k band to 43.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,754 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.