Fiat Talento MOT Failures
An analysis of 24,589 real DVSA MOT tests on the Fiat Talento — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: X82 (2016–2021).
Where the Fiat Talento fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Fiat Talento is emissions failure — this model is 18 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 24,589 MOT tests, 3% of all Fiat Talento tests recorded this as a failure.
Exhaust and emissions failures often point to catalytic converter degradation, lambda sensor faults, or — in diesel models — DPF problems. These can be expensive to fix and will cause an immediate MOT failure.
Other notable weak points include stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... (31x the fleet average), obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or... (15x the fleet average), abs fault (7.0x the fleet average), and anti-roll bar links worn (20x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Fiat Talento'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: Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics, Wipers & Windscreen, Suspension, Brakes and others. If you're inspecting a Fiat Talento 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 Talento'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 Talento specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... (31x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (20x). emissions failure (18x) and obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or... (15x) 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 Talento specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (9.9x the average) and brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (8.2x). anti-roll bar links worn (6.5x) and obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or... (6.4x) 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 Talento specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (5.7x the average) and obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or... (5.2x). emissions failure (5.1x) and emissions failure also appear frequently.
The shift from stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... at lower mileages to brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... 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 Talento specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Premature suspension component wear (X82) Major
The Talento experiences unusually rapid wear of suspension pins, bushes and joints across all mileage ranges. Affects X82; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
Premature shock absorber failure (X82) Major
Shock absorbers on the Talento fail at seven times the national fleet average, with severe leakage being the primary failure mode. Affects X82; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Engine management light illumination (X82) Major
This primarily affects the 1.6L diesel variant but impacts all mileage ranges. Affects X82; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£800.
Steering ball joint excessive wear (X82) Major
Steering ball joints on the Talento develop excessive wear and free play at 5.3 times the national fleet average. Affects X82; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Fiat Talento common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Fiat Talento
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Fiat Talento:
Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Lights & Electrics — check for stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o..., rear registration plate lamp or light source mi.... Wipers & Windscreen — check for obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or.... Suspension — check for abs fault, anti-roll bar links worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about premature suspension component wear and premature shock absorber failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. 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 Talento?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Fiat Talento MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Fiat Talento?
Based on 24,589 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is emissions failure — at 18x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... and obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or....
Is the Fiat Talento reliable based on MOT data?
The Fiat Talento has 8 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag premature suspension component wear 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 Talento most commonly fails on brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... and obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... and anti-roll bar links worn.
How do I check a Fiat Talento'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.