Van-sized space in a city-car footprint
The Fiat Qubo is a van-derived micro MPV based on the Fiat Fiorino, sold in the UK from 2009 to around 2020. It sits in the budget end of the small MPV market, competing with the Citroen Nemo Multispace and Peugeot Bipper Tepee. Buyers tend to be older drivers, wheelchair-accessible vehicle converters, and practical-minded owners who value its sliding doors, high seating position, and cavernous interior over style.
We track 5 known issues across the Fiat QUBO 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 QUBO? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
225 (2008–2021) — Petrol options included the 1.4 8v, 1.4 8v, with 1.3 MultiJet on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Power steering system failure (£400–£800 to address).
The electric power steering system experiences widespread failures including pump motor seizure, fluid contamination, and complete loss of assistance. MOT data shows this model fails power steering tests at 100.8 times the national fleet average, with both fluid leaks and system malfunctions documented across all mileage ranges from 20,000 miles onwards. The system uses an electric pump rather than engine-driven hydraulic assistance, and when it fails, steering effort increases dramatically without warning.
Complete power steering failure makes the car extremely difficult to manoeuvre, particularly at low speeds and when parking. This creates a serious safety risk as emergency steering inputs become much harder to execute. Replacement of the complete steering system typically costs £800-£1,500. The car remains driveable but requires significantly increased physical effort to steer.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The front suspension experiences premature wear of bushes, joints, and bearings, with MOT failures occurring at 368.4 times the national fleet average for shock absorber bush wear and 368.4 times average for suspension pins and joints. The problem affects both anti-roll bar drop links and control arm bushes, typically manifesting as knocking noises over bumps and imprecise steering feel. This is a design weakness rather than normal wear, occurring from as low as 20,000 miles on some vehicles.
Worn suspension components compromise handling, braking stability, and tyre wear patterns. Severely worn bushes or joints can separate completely, causing loss of control. Typical repair involves replacing multiple components simultaneously and requires wheel alignment afterwards. Total costs range from £300-£600 depending on which components need replacement.
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.
Rear coil springs fracture at a rate 14.4 times higher than the fleet average, with failures documented from as low as 0-20,000 miles. The springs appear to be under-engineered for the vehicle's loading requirements, particularly when used as a commercial van with regular cargo loads. Spring failure typically occurs at the end coils where stress concentration is highest, and can happen suddenly without warning.
A broken rear spring dramatically affects handling, braking stability, and ride quality. The car may sit unevenly and pull to one side under braking. Sharp spring ends can damage tyres or other suspension components. In extreme cases, spring fragments can puncture tyres or damage the vehicle's underside. Springs should be replaced in pairs to maintain even handling.
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.
Petrol variants experience exhaust system corrosion and mounting failures at 265.8 times the fleet average, particularly affecting the middle and rear sections. The exhaust system appears more susceptible to UK road salt and moisture than comparable vehicles. Failures typically involve perforation of the silencer boxes or corrosion of the exhaust mounting points, leading to rattling and eventual detachment.
Exhaust leaks reduce engine efficiency and can allow dangerous fumes into the passenger compartment. Loose exhaust sections can detach while driving, creating a road hazard and potentially damaging the underside of the vehicle. A complete exhaust system replacement typically costs £200-£400 depending on which sections require replacement.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The steering rack protective gaiters (rubber dust covers) fail at 100.8 times the fleet average, typically splitting or detaching around 40,000-60,000 miles. These rubber boots protect the steering rack from dirt and moisture ingress, and their failure can lead to premature steering rack wear and eventual failure. The problem appears to be related to poor quality rubber that deteriorates in UK weather conditions.
Failed steering rack gaiters allow dirt and moisture to contaminate the steering rack, leading to accelerated wear of the internal components. While not immediately dangerous, continued driving with damaged gaiters will eventually cause steering rack failure. Gaiter replacement is relatively inexpensive but if left too long may require complete steering rack replacement.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Fiat QUBO common problems page.
Based on 24k real DVSA MOT tests, the Fiat QUBO fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is steering rack wear at 67x the fleet average, followed by power steering fault (64x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Fiat QUBO MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 9k miles) typically costs £45–£65 at an independent garage.
See the full Fiat QUBO service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Fiat QUBO 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. Post-2012 facelifted models are the best buy, with improved trim and minor mechanical updates. The 1.3 Multijet 95 PS diesel is the engine to have. Avoid early 2009 cars which had more electronic teething troubles. The sweet spot is a 2014-2017 car with full service history and under 60,000 miles.
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 QUBO, 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 QUBO issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.