Van · 1996–2021 cars

Fiat Ducato reliability

The Fiat Ducato fails 25.8% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 230,036 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 57/100#3 of 40 vans

Checking a Fiat Ducato before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 25.8%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 8% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 230,036; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 4,000; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Fiat Ducato ranks 3 of 40 van models for reliability. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 25.8%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 8% fewer MOT fails. Year matters, though. Cars from 2010 did best, with 28% fewer fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 1997 cars had 28% more. Body, chassis and structure is its weak area, with 22% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

It can be a good buy if you check these on the car you are viewing. Make sure the wiper blades clear the windscreen. Look for serious corrosion in the suspension mounting area, and test the parking brake. Check that the position lamps work. Look closely underneath for rust in the body and chassis, as that is where this model is weakest.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Fiat Ducato ages

Each point is the share of Fiat Ducatos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Fiat DucatoAll cars

Fiat Ducato first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Fiat Ducato	All cars
3	12.6%	12.3%
4	14.3%	14.1%
5	14.9%	16.4%
6	14.4%	19.1%
7	16.6%	22.1%
8	16.4%	25.5%
9	18.2%	28.8%
10	18.3%	31.8%
11	18.5%	34.6%
12	19.3%	37.3%
13	20.8%	39.5%
14	23.6%	41.1%
15	25.7%	42.3%
16	28.5%	42.9%
17	31%	43.4%
18	33.9%	43.5%
19	34.7%	43.4%
20	36.3%	42.8%
21	37.8%	41.4%
22	39.8%	40.6%
23	38.5%	38.9%
24	40%	37.1%
25	42.2%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Fiat Ducato years

2010 cars come out best and 1997 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Fiat Ducato MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	801	10.6%	13% fewer fails	14,203
2020 Ducato	3,218	11.7%	16% fewer fails	18,402
2019 Ducato	5,613	14.1%	2% more fails	19,151
2018 Ducato	6,445	14.8%	1% more fails	23,102
2017 Ducato	7,239	16%	0% fewer fails	25,746
2016 Ducato	9,851	15.2%	9% fewer fails	24,639
2015 Ducato	9,937	15.6%	14% fewer fails	27,022
2014 Ducato	8,422	17.2%	15% fewer fails	29,949
2013 Ducato	8,201	18%	17% fewer fails	31,657
2012 Ducato	9,195	18.5%	22% fewer fails	32,695
2011 Ducato	11,460	19.5%	24% fewer fails	35,324
2010 Ducato	12,055	19.4%	28% fewer fails	36,201
2009 Ducato	12,519	21.7%	24% fewer fails	37,449
2008 Ducato	17,874	24.4%	21% fewer fails	42,182
2007 Ducato	18,611	27%	17% fewer fails	44,835
2006 Ducato	15,655	31.1%	6% fewer fails	45,801
2005 Ducato	15,984	33%	2% fewer fails	47,466
2004 Ducato	13,659	35%	2% more fails	48,795
2003 Ducato	11,166	35.2%	0% fewer fails	51,738
2002 Ducato	7,694	37.8%	7% more fails	53,496
2001 Ducato	6,421	38.6%	9% more fails	56,775
2000 Ducato	5,452	40.1%	14% more fails	61,536
1999 Ducato	6,117	39.5%	15% more fails	63,553
1998 Ducato	4,555	41.4%	23% more fails	68,620
1997 Ducato	1,487	43%	28% more fails	68,957
1996	405	50.4%	49% more fails	71,840

Common problems

What fails most on a Fiat Ducato

Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 22% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics13.1%17% above avg
Brakes8.2%20% above avg
Suspension6.1%29% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.2%1% below avg
Body, chassis and structure4.9%22% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.2%32% below avg
Tyres1.9%59% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.5%20% above avg
Steering0.8%48% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.32% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
2
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 1.96% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.79% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
4
Position lamp not working 1.7% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
5
Service brake excessively binding 1.38% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
6
Stop lamp not working 1.37% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
7
Outline marker lamp not working 1.35% of tests
A failed outline marker lamp makes the car's width harder to see in the dark, and it must be repaired.
8
Headlamp aim set too low 1.28% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat Ducato's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.77%
Brake disc pitted or scored4.14%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy3.48%
Tyre worn close to legal limit3.44%
Engine oil leak, not excessive3.38%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear2.7%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Fiat Ducato

1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
2
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
4
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Fiat Ducato covers about 4,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel99.7%
Petrol0.3%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

White, Grey, Silver, Blue, Yellow

Average engine size: 2.4 litres.

Compare

How the Fiat Ducato compares with its rivals

Fiat Ducato against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Fiat Ducato	25.8%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot Boxer	26.5%	about average for its age
Mercedes-Benz Vito	33.7%	3% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Transit Custom	20.7%	14% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot Expert	36.6%	21% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Combo	41.4%	29% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Kangoo	46.4%	39% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every van ranked in the van reliability index, or all Fiat models.

Questions

Fiat Ducato questions, answered

Is the Fiat Ducato reliable?

On MOT results, the Fiat Ducato is about average: it fails 25.8% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 3 of 40 van models in our index.

What fails most on a Fiat Ducato MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Fiat Ducato are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.32% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (1.96% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (1.79% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 13.1% of its tests.

Which Fiat Ducato year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1997 cars do worst (28% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Fiat Ducato do a year?

A typical Fiat Ducato covers about 4,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Fiat Ducato before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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