Fiat Ducato: what fails at MOT
83,000 MOT tests on the Fiat Ducato in 2024, counted. 22.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
22.2% of Fiat Ducato tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 33%, so the Ducato does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7.3% of tests), brakes (4.5% of tests) and suspension (3.2% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,553 | 9.4% | 10.9% | 16,600 8,200 to 70,600 |
| 2020 | 2,786 | 11.5% | 11.5% | 19,100 11,500 to 101,800 |
| 2019 | 2,944 | 14.0% | 13.4% | 20,700 12,900 to 83,000 |
| 2018 | 2,766 | 14.9% | 15.6% | 25,700 15,700 to 70,300 |
| 2017 | 3,097 | 16.9% | 18.2% | 28,400 17,100 to 63,800 |
| 2016 | 4,213 | 16.2% | 21.3% | 26,900 17,700 to 50,600 |
| 2015 | 4,363 | 16.3% | 24.4% | 29,600 20,100 to 46,500 |
| 2014 | 3,614 | 16.7% | 27.7% | 31,700 22,600 to 50,400 |
| 2013 | 3,570 | 17.5% | 30.6% | 33,900 23,800 to 49,000 |
| 2012 | 4,009 | 18.3% | 33.4% | 34,200 25,200 to 51,300 |
| 2011 | 4,980 | 19.0% | 36.1% | 36,800 26,900 to 52,000 |
| 2010 | 5,139 | 19.5% | 38.6% | 38,000 28,400 to 53,300 |
| 2009 | 5,346 | 21.9% | 39.8% | 38,600 29,500 to 52,600 |
| 2008 | 7,585 | 24.5% | 41.5% | 43,700 33,000 to 60,500 |
| 2007 | 7,834 | 27.4% | 41.5% | 45,800 35,200 to 64,800 |
| 2006 | 6,303 | 31.1% | 42.4% | 47,000 35,800 to 64,100 |
| 2005 | 6,376 | 33.4% | 42.2% | 49,300 37,700 to 65,800 |
| 2004 | 5,563 | 35.3% | 42.3% | 50,500 38,300 to 66,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Fiat Ducato tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Ducato | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 7.3% | 10.0% |
| Brakes Less than most | 4.5% | 6.0% |
| Suspension Less than most | 3.2% | 8.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.8% | 3.7% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 2.4% | 3.5% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 1.5% | 3.0% |
| Tyres Less than most | 1.2% | 4.5% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.9% | 1.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim2.2%
- Footbrake1.9%
- Brake test1.8%
- Wipers1.5%
- Side light1.2%
- Washers1.2%
- Brake light1.1%
- Headlamp1.1%
- Outline marker lamp1.1%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings1.0%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.4%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.1%
- Side light: not working1.0%
- Outline marker lamp: not working0.9%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength0.9%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.9%
- Brake light: not working0.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.8%
- Rear fog light: not working0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.1%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge2.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.7%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.1%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively1.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin1.5%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material1.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Fiat Ducato's own MOT record
Looking at a Ducato? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.