2003 Fiat Doblo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,721 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Fiat Doblo, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 66.7% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.5% in the 150k+ group versus 20.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.5% | 763 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.6% | 656 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.6% | 545 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 432 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.4% | 314 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.1% | 266 |
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 | 495 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 473 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 400 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 342 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 219 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 186 |
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 | 35.3% | 1,312 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.9% | 1,185 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.5% | 1,136 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 27.0% | 1,006 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.5% | 724 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 17.4% | 647 |
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 | 53 | 20.8% |
| 30-60k | 254 | 24.4% |
| 60-90k | 734 | 31.1% |
| 90-120k | 929 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 815 | 35.3% |
| 150k+ | 912 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,574 | 33.5% |
| Petrol | 147 | 28.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,165 | 33.6% |
| 2022 | 921 | 33.0% |
| 2023 | 716 | 33.4% |
| 2024 | 536 | 33.0% |
| 2025 | 383 | 33.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Doblo
Before buying a 2003 Fiat Doblo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.6% 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 (14.6% 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 2003 Fiat Doblos pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 3,721 2003 Fiat Doblo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Fiat Doblo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.5% of tests, followed by suspension (17.6%).
Does the 2003 Doblo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 0-30k band to 35.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,721 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.