Fiat Qubo MOT Failures
An analysis of 93,145 real DVSA MOT tests on the Fiat Qubo — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 225 (2008–2021).
Where the Fiat Qubo fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Fiat Qubo is abs fault — this model is 26 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 93,145 MOT tests, 4.7% of all Fiat Qubo tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include power steering fault (64x the fleet average), steering rack wear (67x the fleet average), light unit fault (24x the fleet average), and emissions failure (32x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Fiat Qubo's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Suspension, Steering, Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions, Wipers & Windscreen and others. If you're inspecting a Fiat Qubo before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Fiat Qubo's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Fiat Qubo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are steering rack wear (67x the average) and power steering fault (64x). abs fault (26x) and suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn (25x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Fiat Qubo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (32x the average) and steering rack wear (29x). power steering fault (26x) and abs fault (22x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Fiat Qubo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (24x the average) and power steering fault (17x). abs fault (15x) and suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn (9.9x) also appear frequently.
The shift from steering rack wear at lower mileages to light unit fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Fiat Qubo specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Power steering system failure (225) Dangerous
The electric power steering system experiences widespread failures including pump motor seizure, fluid contamination, and complete loss of assistance. Affects 225; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Front suspension component wear (225) Major
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. Affects 225; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Rear spring failure (225) Major
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. Affects 225; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£250.
Exhaust system corrosion (225)
Petrol variants experience exhaust system corrosion and mounting failures at 265.8 times the fleet average, particularly affecting the middle and rear sections. Affects 225; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Fiat Qubo common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Fiat Qubo
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Fiat Qubo:
Suspension — check for abs fault, suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn. Steering — check for power steering fault, steering rack wear. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about power steering system failure and front suspension component wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Fiat Qubo?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Fiat Qubo MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Fiat Qubo?
Based on 93,145 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 26x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include power steering fault and steering rack wear.
Is the Fiat Qubo reliable based on MOT data?
The Fiat Qubo has 13 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag power steering system failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Fiat Qubo most commonly fails on light unit fault and power steering fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are steering rack wear and power steering fault.
How do I check a Fiat Qubo's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.