2004 Fiat Stilo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,329 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Fiat Stilo, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 67.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.0% in the 150k+ group versus 19.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.4% | 429 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 404 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.5% | 268 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 214 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 175 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.2% | 168 |
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 | 255 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 153 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 146 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 146 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 130 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 118 |
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 | 38.1% | 887 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.7% | 714 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.7% | 622 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.0% | 536 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 401 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.4% | 383 |
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 | 61 | 19.7% |
| 30-60k | 411 | 30.7% |
| 60-90k | 765 | 34.1% |
| 90-120k | 604 | 33.4% |
| 120-150k | 321 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 128 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,677 | 32.1% |
| Diesel | 652 | 34.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 859 | 34.8% |
| 2022 | 568 | 31.5% |
| 2023 | 399 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 288 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 215 | 33.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Stilo
Before buying a 2004 Fiat Stilo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 18.4% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (18.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.5% 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 2004 Fiat Stilos pass their MOT?
67.2% of the 2,329 2004 Fiat Stilo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Fiat Stilo?
Suspension, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.3%).
Does the 2004 Stilo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,329 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.