2020 Fiat Talento — MOT failures & pass rate
490 MOT tests on the 2020 Fiat Talento are in this dataset, and 85.5% of them passed. That is 5.1 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.9%) and suspension (5.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, headlamp aim and linkage ball joints — brake pads alone was recorded 15 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.9% in the 0-30k band and 15.8% in the 90-120k band, a 10.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 15.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.3% of tests failed in 2023 against 17.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.9% | 29 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.5% | 27 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.3% | 21 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.1% | 15 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 11 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.0% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 15 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 10 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 9 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 8 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.9% | 78 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.5% | 76 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.5% | 37 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.7% | 28 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.3% | 26 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 26 |
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 | 122 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 207 | 15.9% |
| 60-90k | 111 | 22.5% |
| 90-120k | 38 | 15.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 156 | 10.3% |
| 2024 | 166 | 15.1% |
| 2025 | 168 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Talento
On a 2020 Talento, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.5% 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 (4.3% 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 2020 Fiat Talentos pass their MOT?
85.5% of the 490 2020 Fiat Talento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Fiat Talento?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by suspension (5.5%).
Does the 2020 Talento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 15.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 490 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.