2012 Fiat Doblo 1.2L Diesel · YT62 UBA

Structural corrosion is the defining issue in this Doblo's history: in March 2023 both nearside and offside sill sections were failed as corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly was significantly reduced, with the entire sills noted as affected. That test also recorded a seriously weakened offside front coil spring, a leaking offside front shock absorber, and an excessively worn Macpherson strut pin or bush, alongside an oil leak advisory. The vehicle passed in June 2023 with no defects recorded, indicating the corrosion and suspension work was rectified, but a sill corrosion failure of that severity on a 2012 vehicle warrants close scrutiny of the repair quality. The pattern since has been one of failures caught at test and then rectified: June 2024 brought a dangerous failure for both front tyres below the 1.6mm legal tread minimum plus a defective horn and advisories for both front brake pads wearing thin, and June 2025 produced another failure for a damaged central rear engine mounting with excessive movement, an ineffective front wiper, offside headlamp aim faults, and an offside rear tyre cut through to the ply. Each failure was followed within days by a clean pass, the latest being 12 June 2025 with no defects recorded, so the current certificate is clear, but the record shows defects tending to accumulate between tests rather than being addressed proactively. At 112,265 miles over roughly fourteen years, the Doblo has averaged about 8,000 miles annually, which is typical use for its age and neither suggests prolonged lay-up nor unusually heavy service. Test dates have been reasonably consistent around spring and early summer each year, with no significant gaps in the recorded history. This steady accumulation is consistent with the wear items seen in the record: front suspension components, brake pads, tyres, and engine mountings are all mileage-related consumables on a vehicle of this type and weight, and a Doblo of this era is frequently used for load-carrying, which accelerates wear on springs, dampers, and mountings. On inspection, the sills deserve the most attention. Because both were failed as structurally compromised in 2023, examine the full length of each sill, the jacking points, and the inner sill seams for evidence of welded repair sections, fresh underseal concealing corrosion, or filler over rust. Press and tap along the sills and check the MOT welding is continuous and properly dressed rather than patch-plated. The offside front suspension was renewed or repaired in 2023, so on a test drive listen for knocks or clonks over broken surfaces from that corner, check that the car sits level, and feel for any vagueness or pull in the steering that might indicate wear in the strut top mount or associated bushes. The 2025 failure for a deteriorated central rear engine mounting should be verified by observing the engine under load: excessive rocking or a thump when selecting drive or lifting off the throttle would suggest the replacement mounting or adjacent mountings are again deteriorating. Given the repeated tyre failures in 2024 and 2025, including a cut reaching the cords, inspect all four tyres for tread depth, sidewall damage, and uneven wear that could point to alignment issues, particularly given the earlier headlamp aim and suspension faults. The front brake pads flagged as wearing thin in 2024 should be checked for pad and disc condition, with any pedal judder or grinding investigated. Finally, the oil leak advisories recorded in 2021 and 2023, and the exhaust flexi leak noted in 2021, merit a look underneath for fresh oil misting around the engine and gearbox and a listen for any blowing from the exhaust on a cold start.