Fiat Ducato Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Fiat Ducato passes its MOT first time on 72.2% of tests, 0.7 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (71.5%). That puts it ahead of 55% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2010 Ducato does best (beats 81% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 18%).

Of its engines, the 3.0 Diesel does best (beats 79%) and the 2.5 Diesel worst (beats 18%).

Better than average on suspension, tyres, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Brakes1.3×as often as a typical car

Body & structure1.3×as often as a typical car

Handbrake performance2.5×as often as a typical car

Outline marker lamp23.2×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Fiat DucatoTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 1%

Beats 1%

Beats 3%

Beats 6%

Beats 15%

Beats 11%

Beats 16%

Beats 15%

Beats 19%

Beats 19%

Beats 34%

Beats 37%

Beats 35%

Beats 48%

Beats 57%

Beats 53%

Beats 57%

Beats 58%

Beats 72%

Beats 80%

Beats 80%

Beats 81%

Beats 73%

Beats 68%

Beats 60%

Beats 48%

Beats 45%

Beats 37%

Beats 18%

Beats 25%

Beats 15%

Beats 12%

Beats 17%

Beats 14%

Beats 11%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	2003–2021	329,751	77.1%	Beats 60%	C
2.8 Diesel	1998–2007	129,728	65.2%	Beats 52%	C
3.0 Diesel	2007–2017	59,694	78.7%	Beats 79%	B
2.2 Diesel	2006–2023	46,802	72.0%	Beats 63%	B
2.0 Diesel	2002–2017	38,168	62.4%	Beats 43%	C
2.5 Diesel	1992–1998	24,045	57.2%	Beats 18%	E
1.9 Diesel	1992–2002	17,292	56.1%	Beats 17%	E
2.0 Petrol	1988–1990	4,951	52.0%	Beats 1%	E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Lights: 14.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

14.4% vs 11.6%

Brakes

9.2% vs 7.0%

Suspension

6.8% vs 8.8%

Visibility

5.7% vs 5.3%

Body & structure

5.3% vs 4.0%

Emissions & leaks

2.6% vs 3.3%

Tyres

2.4% vs 5.0%

Seat belts & airbags

1.5% vs 1.2%

Steering

1.1% vs 1.7%

Wheels

0.1% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Handbrake performance 2.5× typical
Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
Brake performance 1.6× typical
On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Windscreen wipers
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
Sidelights
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Headlight bulbs & units
Check dipped and main beam on both sides.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Fiat DucatoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Headlight aim	3.7%	3.2%	1.2×
Handbrake performance	3.4%	1.3%	2.5×
Windscreen wipers	3.1%	2.7%	1.1×
Sidelights	2.5%	2.3%	1.1×
Component mounting prescribed areas	2.4%	1.1%	2.2×
Windscreen washers	2.3%	2.2%	1.0×
Brake performance	2.2%	1.4%	1.6×
Brake lights	2.1%	2.4%	0.9×
Headlight bulbs & units	2.0%	2.1%	1.0×
Outline marker lamp	1.6%	0.1%	23.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	37.1
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	32.5
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	28.3
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired	27.8
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement	25.1
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	23.3
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake	18.7
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	17.0

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Fiat Ducato1 engine80.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	1,171	80.2%	Beats 11%	E

2022 Fiat Ducato1 engine81.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	2,265	81.9%	Beats 14%	E

2021 Fiat Ducato1 engine80.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	9,500	80.8%	Beats 17%	E

2020 Fiat Ducato1 engine79.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	11,803	79.4%	Beats 12%	E

2019 Fiat Ducato1 engine79.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	14,888	79.2%	Beats 15%	E

2018 Fiat Ducato1 engine79.7% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	15,182	79.7%	Beats 25%	D

2017 Fiat Ducato3 engines77.0% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	16,708	80.0%	Beats 29%	D
2.0 Diesel	3,188	60.7%	Beats 1%	E
3.0 Diesel	1,164	79.4%	Beats 72%	B

2016 Fiat Ducato2 engines79.9% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	24,470	79.8%	Beats 33%	D
3.0 Diesel	3,296	80.0%	Beats 57%	C

2015 Fiat Ducato2 engines79.9% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	27,221	79.6%	Beats 41%	C
3.0 Diesel	3,385	81.9%	Beats 71%	B

2014 Fiat Ducato2 engines78.3% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	22,988	77.9%	Beats 44%	C
3.0 Diesel	2,160	82.4%	Beats 78%	B

2013 Fiat Ducato2 engines79.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	19,438	79.2%	Beats 57%	C
3.0 Diesel	2,751	80.8%	Beats 78%	B

2012 Fiat Ducato3 engines79.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	20,204	79.9%	Beats 70%	B
3.0 Diesel	3,289	79.5%	Beats 71%	B
2.2 Diesel	1,761	74.2%	Beats 54%	C

2011 Fiat Ducato3 engines78.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	18,446	77.8%	Beats 72%	B
3.0 Diesel	6,645	80.6%	Beats 79%	B
2.2 Diesel	5,781	78.3%	Beats 69%	B

2010 Fiat Ducato3 engines79.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	16,749	79.5%	Beats 83%	A
3.0 Diesel	7,713	79.9%	Beats 84%	A
2.2 Diesel	7,383	77.2%	Beats 75%	B

2009 Fiat Ducato3 engines77.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	18,559	77.4%	Beats 80%	A
3.0 Diesel	8,272	78.5%	Beats 80%	A
2.2 Diesel	5,942	77.6%	Beats 80%	A

2008 Fiat Ducato3 engines75.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	25,466	76.5%	Beats 83%	A
3.0 Diesel	12,024	77.2%	Beats 82%	A
2.2 Diesel	9,032	69.8%	Beats 68%	B

2007 Fiat Ducato4 engines72.1% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.3 Diesel	24,877	74.8%	Beats 80%	B
2.2 Diesel	11,974	64.2%	Beats 57%	C
3.0 Diesel	8,995	74.9%	Beats 79%	B
2.8 Diesel	3,589	72.5%	Beats 62%	B

2006 Fiat Ducato4 engines68.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.8 Diesel	20,520	70.7%	Beats 62%	B
2.3 Diesel	13,811	70.4%	Beats 62%	B
2.0 Diesel	7,000	60.0%	Beats 45%	C
2.2 Diesel	1,493	50.8%	Beats 32%	D

2005 Fiat Ducato3 engines66.6% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.8 Diesel	21,827	68.9%	Beats 62%	B
2.3 Diesel	13,548	67.0%	Beats 54%	C
2.0 Diesel	8,374	60.2%	Beats 46%	C

2004 Fiat Ducato3 engines65.0% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.8 Diesel	18,933	65.4%	Beats 55%	C
2.3 Diesel	10,404	65.6%	Beats 55%	C
2.0 Diesel	7,739	63.1%	Beats 46%	C

2003 Fiat Ducato3 engines64.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.8 Diesel	16,175	64.4%	Beats 55%	C
2.0 Diesel	7,959	66.0%	Beats 59%	C
2.3 Diesel	5,489	64.5%	Beats 59%	C

2002 Fiat Ducato3 engines62.7% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.8 Diesel	13,358	62.8%	Beats 51%	C
2.0 Diesel	3,908	63.6%	Beats 48%	C
1.9 Diesel	2,234	60.7%	Beats 31%	D

2001 Fiat Ducato2 engines59.3% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.8 Diesel	13,238	59.9%	Beats 39%	D
1.9 Diesel	3,472	56.6%	Beats 19%	E

2000 Fiat Ducato2 engines59.9% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.8 Diesel	11,611	60.3%	Beats 39%	D
1.9 Diesel	2,250	57.9%	Beats 26%	D

1999 Fiat Ducato2 engines60.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.8 Diesel	8,872	60.8%	Beats 36%	D
1.9 Diesel	2,532	57.7%	Beats 26%	D

1998 Fiat Ducato3 engines57.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	6,044	57.7%	Beats 21%	D
1.9 Diesel	2,493	53.6%	Beats 11%	E
2.8 Diesel	1,605	60.7%	Beats 34%	D

1997 Fiat Ducato2 engines58.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	6,213	58.9%	Beats 22%	D
1.9 Diesel	1,823	55.3%	Beats 12%	E

1996 Fiat Ducato2 engines56.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	4,946	57.0%	Beats 16%	E
1.9 Diesel	1,103	52.6%	Beats 8%	E

1995 Fiat Ducato1 engine57.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	2,539	57.1%	Beats 16%	E

1994 Fiat Ducato1 engine54.3% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	1,750	54.3%	Beats 11%	E

1993 Fiat Ducato1 engine55.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	1,253	55.1%	Beats 15%	E

1992 Fiat Ducato2 engines51.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	1,385	50.0%	Beats 3%	E
2.5 Diesel	1,300	53.7%	Beats 11%	E

1990 Fiat Ducato1 engine54.6% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	1,809	54.6%	Beats 3%	E

1989 Fiat Ducato1 engine51.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	1,413	51.5%	Beats 1%	E

1988 Fiat Ducato1 engine49.6% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	1,729	49.6%	Beats 1%	E

FAQ

What is the Fiat Ducato MOT pass rate?

72.2% of MOT tests on the Fiat Ducato were passed first time, based on 650,431 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1988–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 71.5% of the time.

Is the Fiat Ducato reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 55% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Fiat Ducato year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2010 Ducato does best for its age and mileage: it beats 81% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 18%.

Which Fiat Ducato engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.0 Diesel does best: it beats 79% of cars on UK roads. The 2.5 Diesel does worst: it beats 18%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Fiat Ducato?

The most common failure items are headlight aim, handbrake performance, windscreen wipers. Compared with similar cars, handbrake performance comes up 2.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Fiat Ducato reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ