2005 Fiat Ulysse — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 432 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Fiat Ulysse, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.7% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 83 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.7% | 68 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.6% | 50 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 50 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.6% | 37 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 28 |
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 | 45 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 29 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 28 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 26 |
| 5 | Washers | 25 |
| 6 | Wipers | 24 |
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 | 35.9% | 155 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.9% | 138 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.6% | 119 |
| 4 | Other defects | 22.7% | 98 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 21.1% | 91 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 67 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 73 | 30.1% |
| 90-120k | 138 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 103 | 35.9% |
| 150k+ | 84 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 309 | 28.2% |
| Petrol | 123 | 35.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 146 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 106 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 80 | 32.5% |
| 2024 | 58 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 42 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Ulysse
Before buying a 2005 Fiat Ulysse, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.7% 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 (11.6% 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 2005 Fiat Ulysses pass their MOT?
69.7% of the 432 2005 Fiat Ulysse MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Fiat Ulysse?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (15.7%).
Does the 2005 Ulysse get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.1% in the 60-90k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 432 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.