Pickup · 2016–2019 cars
Fiat Fullback reliability
The Fiat Fullback fails 17.5% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 10,075 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Fiat Fullback before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 17.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 10,075
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 11,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Fiat Fullback ages
Each point is the share of Fiat Fullbacks of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Fiat Fullback | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 15.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 17.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 20.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 16.5% | 22.1% |
By year
The best and worst Fiat Fullback years
2016 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 768 | 18% | 8% more fails | 49,750 |
| 2018 Fullback | 3,538 | 17.4% | 4% fewer fails | 55,466 |
| 2017 Fullback | 4,610 | 17% | 15% fewer fails | 59,563 |
| 2016 Fullback | 1,159 | 19.8% | 16% fewer fails | 75,282 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Fiat Fullback
Its weak spot is brakes: 61% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics6.8%17% above avg
- Brakes6.3%61% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.2%20% above avg
- Tyres2.5%59% below avg
- Suspension1.6%53% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.7%56% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.7%30% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%77% above avg
- Wheels0.3%6% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.01% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.63% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Position lamp not working 1.35% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.35% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.31% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too high 1.04% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 7
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 0.8% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 8
Registration plate lamp not working 0.77% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat Fullback's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.5%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.47%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.56%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy4.51%
- Child seat limits belt inspection1.56%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking1.48%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Fiat Fullback
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
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.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 Fullback covers about 11,900 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
- Diesel100%
- Petrol0%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, White, Blue, Red
Average engine size: 2.4 litres.
Compare
How the Fiat Fullback compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat Fullback | 17.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda B Series | 42% | about average for its age |
| Mercedes-Benz X-Class | 17.1% | about average for its age |
| Nissan Pickup | 44.2% | about average for its age |
| Isuzu Rodeo | 44.1% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Isuzu TF | 43.3% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Musso | 34.9% | 98% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every pickup ranked in the pickup reliability index, or all Fiat models.
Questions
Fiat Fullback questions, answered
Is the Fiat Fullback reliable?
On MOT results, the Fiat Fullback is about average: it fails 17.5% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 2 of 13 pickup models in our index.
What fails most on a Fiat Fullback MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Fiat Fullback are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3.01% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.63% of tests), position lamp not working (1.35% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 6.8% of its tests.
Which Fiat Fullback year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Fiat Fullback do a year?
A typical Fiat Fullback covers about 11,900 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 Fullback 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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