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Fiat Talento car check

Find out if a Talento has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

Typical price
£13,27913 at dealers
MOT failure rate
23%5k tests
Known problems
5across X82
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Talento are you looking at?

Each Talento generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Premature suspension component wear

    Wear item X82

    The Talento experiences unusually rapid wear of suspension pins, bushes and joints across all mileage ranges. The issue is most pronounced on the 1.6L model at 20,000-40,000 miles but continues throughout the vehicle's life. This appears to be related to the commercial vehicle loading and suspension design not adequately handling UK road conditions.

    What to check: Walk around the vehicle and visually inspect all visible suspension components for obvious wear, cracking, or displacement. Pay particular attention to the front anti-roll bar drop links which are commonly affected. Look for uneven tyre wear patterns which indicate suspension geometry problems. C...

  2. Premature shock absorber failure

    Wear item X82

    Shock absorbers on the Talento fail at seven times the national fleet average, with severe leakage being the primary failure mode. The issue affects both engine variants across all mileage bands, suggesting a fundamental design issue with the damper specification for commercial vehicle use. Early failure is most common on the 1.6L model between 20,000-40,000 miles but continues throughout the vehicle's operational life.

    What to check: Visually inspect all four shock absorbers for obvious oil leakage around the damper body and mounting points. Fresh oil appears dark and wet, while old leakage leaves dark staining on the damper and surrounding components. Check the dust covers on the damper shafts for splits or damage which can ...

  3. Engine management light illumination

    Engine damage risk X82

    This primarily affects the 1.6L diesel variant but impacts all mileage ranges. The issue typically relates to emissions system faults including DPF blockage, EGR valve problems, or sensor failures common to modern diesel commercial vehicles operating in stop-start urban conditions.

    What to check: Check the dashboard for any illuminated warning lights including the engine management light, DPF warning light, or service lights. Note which lights are present before starting. Ask the seller about recent regeneration cycles or any emissions-related repair work. Check the exhaust tailpipe for e...

  4. Steering ball joint excessive wear

    Wear item X82

    Steering ball joints on the Talento develop excessive wear and free play at 5.3 times the national fleet average. This issue primarily affects the 1.6L diesel model and becomes progressively worse with mileage, indicating the commercial vehicle loading exceeds the joint specifications. The problem affects steering precision and vehicle safety, requiring professional inspection to determine the extent of wear.

    What to check: Visually inspect the steering linkage components under the vehicle if accessible, looking for obvious damage or displacement of track rod ends and ball joints. Check for any grease leakage around the steering components which indicates seal failure. Look for uneven tyre wear on the front tyres, p...

  5. Accelerated brake wear

    Safety and MOT risk X82

    The Talento shows accelerated brake pad and disc wear, failing MOT tests at 2 times for disc wear. The issue affects both engine variants but is most pronounced on low-mileage vehicles, suggesting the brake system specification may be inadequate for the vehicle's commercial loading or the brake components are of lower quality than typical passenger cars.

    What to check: Visually inspect the brake discs through the wheel spokes for obvious scoring, grooving, or excessive wear. Look for a pronounced lip at the outer edge which indicates significant wear. Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir - low fluid can indicate worn brake pads. Look for...

What Talentos cost at dealers now

From 13 used Talentos we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£13,279
Typical mileage
85,653 miles
Price change vs last month
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Talento MOT results

23%

of Talento MOT tests end in a fail, from 4,542 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o...Lights & Electrics
  2. Emissions failureExhaust & Emissions
  3. Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ...Brakes

Check the Talento you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

Talento questions

Is the Fiat Talento reliable?

23% of Talento models fail their MOT based on 4,542 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being premature suspension component wear. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Fiat Talento?

The most serious known issues are premature suspension component wear, premature shock absorber failure, engine management light illumination. Our car check flags whether a specific Talento has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Fiat Talento has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Fiat Talento has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Talento has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Fiat Talento for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Fiat Talento HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Talento faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Fiat Talento fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the Talento is stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o.... 23% of Talento models fail overall, based on 4,542 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the Talento

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Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.