Small car · 2008–2020 cars
Fiat Qubo reliability
The Fiat Qubo fails 34.8% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 14,041 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Fiat Qubo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 34.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 20% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 14,041
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Fiat Qubo ages
Each point is the share of Fiat Qubos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Fiat Qubo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 17.8% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 21.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 24.4% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 26.6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 30.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 34.2% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 35.7% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 35.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 38% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 42.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 43.8% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 45.8% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst Fiat Qubo years
2011 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 242 | 14.5% | 33% more fails | 18,026 |
| 2018 | 392 | 21.9% | 79% more fails | 19,405 |
| 2017 | 685 | 18.8% | 30% more fails | 26,669 |
| 2016 | 525 | 28% | 69% more fails | 31,310 |
| 2015 | 588 | 28.9% | 49% more fails | 34,787 |
| 2014 | 930 | 34% | 48% more fails | 47,243 |
| 2013 Qubo | 1,942 | 34.2% | 27% more fails | 58,402 |
| 2012 Qubo | 2,809 | 35.7% | 18% more fails | 66,387 |
| 2011 Qubo | 2,122 | 34.7% | 6% more fails | 70,718 |
| 2010 Qubo | 2,113 | 41.6% | 14% more fails | 78,259 |
| 2009 Qubo | 1,524 | 43.4% | 10% more fails | 87,688 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Fiat Qubo
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 87% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension16.8%74% above avg
- Lights and electrics9.9%13% below avg
- Tyres7.8%30% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.4%18% above avg
- Brakes4.6%28% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.2%31% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.2%49% above avg
- Steering2.4%27% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.5%87% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 7.07% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 3.72% of tests
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.75% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.67% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.01% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Position lamp not working 1.53% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 7
Diesel engine warning light faulty 1.36% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.33% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat Qubo's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.27%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.72%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.53%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive6.97%
- Shock absorber bush slightly worn4.38%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion3.72%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Fiat Qubo
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Shock absorber bush excessively worn
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 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 Qubo covers about 5,600 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
- Diesel78.6%
- Petrol21.4%
Most common colours
Blue, Red, Silver, Green, Black
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Fiat Qubo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Fit | 11.6% | 59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover Mini | 29.1% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover 25 | 39.7% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Qubo | 34.8% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 106 | 44.8% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Saxo | 46.3% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Grand Modus | 47.8% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Fiat models.
Questions
Fiat Qubo questions, answered
Is the Fiat Qubo reliable?
On MOT results, the Fiat Qubo is below average: it fails 34.8% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 34 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Fiat Qubo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Fiat Qubo are coil spring fractured or broken (7.07% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (3.72% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (2.75% of tests). By area, suspension fails 16.8% of its tests.
Which Fiat Qubo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2011 cars do best (6% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (27% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Fiat Qubo do a year?
A typical Fiat Qubo covers about 5,600 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 Qubo 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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