A Renault Trafic in disguise, usually cheaper
A rebadged Renault Trafic built in France and sold in the UK from 2016 to around 2020, the Talento offered the same proven mechanicals as the Trafic but at a slightly lower price point through Fiat's dealer network. It never achieved the sales volume of its Renault sibling and was quietly discontinued, making it an overlooked used buy that shares every meaningful component with the more popular Trafic and Vauxhall Vivaro.
We track 5 known issues across the Fiat Talento range, with 4 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Fiat Talento? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
X82 (2016–2021) — Engine options included the 1.6 MultiJet, 2.0 MultiJet. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 4 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Premature suspension component wear (£300–£800 to address).
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.
Worn suspension components affect vehicle stability and handling, particularly when loaded. Continued driving risks complete component failure and loss of control. Replacement typically requires multiple components to be changed simultaneously to prevent premature wear of new parts.
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.
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.
Failed shock absorbers reduce vehicle stability, increase stopping distances, and cause accelerated tyre wear. The vehicle becomes unsafe in emergency manoeuvres and may fail MOT test. Complete replacement of all four dampers is typically required to maintain balanced 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.
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.
An illuminated engine management light causes immediate MOT failure and indicates underlying emissions system problems. Continued driving without diagnosis risks DPF blockage requiring expensive replacement or professional cleaning. Some faults trigger limp mode limiting vehicle performance and usability.
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.
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.
Worn steering ball joints create dangerous free play in the steering system, reducing vehicle control and potentially causing complete separation of steering components. The vehicle may become uncontrollable in emergency situations and will fail MOT testing for safety reasons.
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 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.
Accelerated brake wear increases running costs and requires more frequent brake component replacement. Severely worn brakes reduce stopping performance and create safety risks. Worn pads can damage brake discs if not replaced promptly, significantly increasing repair costs.
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 Talento common problems page.
Based on 10k real DVSA MOT tests, the Fiat Talento fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... at 31x the fleet average, followed by anti-roll bar links worn (20x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Fiat Talento MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 12k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Fiat Talento service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Fiat Talento is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. The 2019-2020 models with the later 2.0-litre diesel engine are the best choice, offering more refinement and power than the earlier 1.6-litre units which had more turbo and injector issues. Any Talento with a full Fiat or Renault dealer service history is preferable. Since it is mechanically identical to the Trafic, Renault dealers can service it too — worth knowing given Fiat's weaker van dealer reputation.
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 Talento, 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 Talento issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.