Fiat Ducato MOT pass rate and common problems
78.1% of 117,041 Fiat Ducato MOT tests pass.
The Ducato has a pass rate of 78.1%, a little higher than the average across all Fiat models (74.3%).
At 78.1%, the Fiat Ducato passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Fiat Ducato?
This is the average across every Fiat Ducato in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Fiat’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Fiat Ducato tested at 0–3 years pass 95.9% of the time, compared with just 71.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.9% | 1,070 | 14,379 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.5% | 7,804 | 48,424 miles |
| 6–10 years | 88.1% | 15,691 | 49,624 miles |
| 10–15 years | 85.4% | 23,836 | 48,257 miles |
| 15+ years | 71.4% | 68,640 | 63,043 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Fiat Ducato
The most common reason the Fiat Ducato fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 79.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 79.9% | Not working |
| Brakes | 47.4% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 35.3% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 31.2% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 21.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 8.3% | Has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.1% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.8% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 3.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.2% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Fiat Ducato: what to check
These checks follow the Fiat Ducato’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Fiat Ducato comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 85.4% to 71.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 79.8% down to 67.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 79.9% of failed Fiat Ducato MOTs. 28.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 8.8% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 47.4% of failed Fiat Ducato MOTs. 18.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.1% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 35.3% of failed Fiat Ducato MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 14.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 31.2% of failed Fiat Ducato MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 21.4% of failed Fiat Ducato MOTs. 7.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.5% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Fiat service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Fiat models
- Fiat 500 — 74.8% pass rate
- Fiat Panda — 69.6% pass rate
- Fiat Punto — 63.8% pass rate
- Fiat Doblo — 69.9% pass rate
- Fiat 500x — 81.3% pass rate
- Fiat 500c — 74.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Fiat Ducato?
- 78.1% of Fiat Ducato MOT tests pass, based on 117,041 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Fiat Ducato?
- The most common reason the Fiat Ducato fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 79.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Fiat Ducato?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Fiat Ducato are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 28.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 8.8% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Fiat Ducato?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Fiat Ducato's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Fiat service history guide for how to check and keep one.