A Mitsubishi L200 in an Italian suit
The Fiat Fullback is a rebadged Mitsubishi L200 that was sold in the UK from 2016 to 2019, built on the same production line. It occupies a niche position as a less common alternative to the L200, Hilux, and Ranger in the UK pickup market. Fiat's withdrawal from pickups means used Fullbacks can be found at a discount to equivalent L200s despite being mechanically identical, appealing to commercial buyers who want proven Mitsubishi reliability at a lower entry price.
We track 5 known issues across the Fiat Fullback range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Fiat Fullback? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
GEN1 (2016–2019) — Engine options included the 2.4 DiD. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake pipe corrosion (£200–£400 to address).
Steel brake pipes on the Fullback are susceptible to accelerated corrosion, particularly where they pass through the chassis rails and around suspension mounting points. MOT data shows this model fails brake pipe inspections at 3.0x the fleet average, with failures documented from 20,000 miles onwards. The issue appears related to inadequate protective coating and poor drainage design allowing water and road salt to accumulate around pipe joints. Later Toyota Hilux variants (on which this vehicle is based) received improved pipe routing and protection.
Corroded brake pipes can rupture without warning, resulting in complete brake failure on the affected circuit. Even minor corrosion rapidly progresses in the presence of road salt. Brake pipe replacement typically requires the vehicle to be raised on a lift for proper access and may involve removing fuel tank or other components.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Front suspension bushes, ball joints, and track rod ends show accelerated wear on the Fullback, with MOT data indicating failures at The problem appears most severe between 80,000-100,000 miles but is documented from 40,000 miles onwards. This likely relates to the vehicle's commercial vehicle origins and suspension geometry that prioritises load carrying over longevity of wear components. The trend is worsening across the model's MOT history.
Worn suspension components affect vehicle handling, braking stability, and tyre life. Severely worn ball joints can separate completely, resulting in loss of steering control. Track rod end failure typically gives advance warning through increased steering play and tyre wear patterns.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Front shock absorbers fail at 7.2x the fleet average, typically through seal failure leading to oil leakage. MOT data shows the problem concentrated between 40,000-100,000 miles, with a worsening trend over the model's test history. This appears to be a design weakness in the damper seals rather than normal wear, as failure rates are abnormally high compared to other vehicles of similar age and usage.
Failed shock absorbers reduce braking effectiveness, increase stopping distances, and affect vehicle stability particularly in emergency manoeuvres. Oil leakage from dampers will result in MOT failure. Driving with severely worn dampers accelerates tyre wear and affects other suspension components.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Brake force imbalance across axles occurs at 4.2x the fleet average, typically manifesting between 20,000-40,000 miles. This indicates premature brake caliper seizure or uneven pad wear causing one wheel to brake significantly less effectively than its pair. The problem appears concentrated in the early service life, suggesting inadequate caliper lubrication or protection from the factory.
Brake imbalance creates dangerous handling during braking, with the vehicle pulling sharply toward the side with more effective brakes. This reduces stopping effectiveness and can cause loss of control, particularly in emergency braking situations. The vehicle will fail its MOT test until the imbalance is corrected.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Brake discs show premature wear or cracking, with MOT failures at 2.7x the fleet average occurring from new vehicles onwards. This suggests either inadequate disc specification for the vehicle's weight or a manufacturing quality issue with the original equipment discs. The problem shows a worsening trend and is documented even on very low mileage examples, indicating this is not normal wear.
Cracked or excessively worn brake discs will fail the MOT test and must be replaced before the vehicle can be used legally. Severely cracked discs can shatter completely during braking, leading to total brake failure on the affected wheel. Warped discs reduce braking effectiveness and accelerate pad wear.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Fiat Fullback common problems page.
Based on 15k real DVSA MOT tests, the Fiat Fullback fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... at 30x the fleet average, followed by anti-roll bar links worn (8x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Fiat Fullback MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Fiat Fullback service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Fiat Fullback has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. The 2017-2019 LX and Cross models in manual transmission are the sweet spot, offering the most equipment with the most refined drivetrain. Avoid the automatic gearbox if possible. The Double Cab Cross specification is the most desirable used variant, with leather seats and a reversing camera. All Fullbacks are effectively the same generation, so later-registered examples simply benefit from less wear.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Fiat Fullback, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Fiat Fullback issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.