2017 Fiat Talento — MOT failures & pass rate
3,863 MOT tests on the 2017 Fiat Talento are in this dataset, and 77.9% of them passed. That is 9.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 12.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 11.3% of all tests — 5.1 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, shock absorbers and malfunction indicator lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 282 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.4% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.3% | 437 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 241 |
| 3 | Steering | 6.1% | 237 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.5% | 213 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 194 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.2% | 163 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 282 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 202 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 181 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 167 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 163 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 116 |
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 | 20.1% | 776 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.2% | 743 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.1% | 700 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 334 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 290 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.1% | 273 |
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 | 353 | 13.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,160 | 19.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,103 | 24.9% |
| 90-120k | 658 | 24.9% |
| 120-150k | 358 | 22.1% |
| 150k+ | 212 | 26.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 781 | 18.8% |
| 2022 | 773 | 18.9% |
| 2023 | 786 | 23.0% |
| 2024 | 755 | 23.7% |
| 2025 | 768 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Talento
On a 2017 Talento, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (11.3% 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 (6.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (6.1% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 Talentos pass their MOT?
77.9% of the 3,863 2017 Fiat Talento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Fiat Talento?
Suspension, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.2%).
Does the 2017 Talento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 0-30k band to 26.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,863 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.