2005 Fiat Stilo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,445 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Fiat Stilo, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 66.7% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 39.3% in the 150k+ group versus 29.6% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 273 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.7% | 270 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.0% | 159 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 140 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.3% | 106 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 101 |
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 | 177 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 92 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 87 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 84 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 76 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 62 |
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 | 42.2% | 610 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.5% | 427 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.8% | 416 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.2% | 335 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 248 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.1% | 232 |
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 | 199 | 29.6% |
| 60-90k | 473 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 369 | 36.0% |
| 120-150k | 256 | 35.5% |
| 150k+ | 107 | 39.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 932 | 32.3% |
| Diesel | 513 | 35.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 517 | 33.9% |
| 2022 | 363 | 32.5% |
| 2023 | 246 | 36.6% |
| 2024 | 180 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 139 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Stilo
Before buying a 2005 Fiat Stilo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.7% 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 (11.0% 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 2005 Fiat Stilos pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 1,445 2005 Fiat Stilo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Fiat Stilo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (18.7%).
Does the 2005 Stilo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.6% in the 30-60k band to 39.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,445 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.