Fiat Ulysse
From 275 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 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 and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 21 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 21 |
| 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 | 13 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 13 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 12 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 11 |
| headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 11 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 11 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 10 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 10 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 9 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 27.3% of Ulysse failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 28.1% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £144.
Fiat Ulysse on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 78 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 78. At this rate, roughly 8.4 years until none remain. Now at 6.4% of its peak (10,435 in 2005 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 95 | 577 | +0 | -5 | -5 |
| 2025 Q2 | 103 | 574 | +0 | -11 | -11 |
| 2025 Q1 | 112 | 576 | +0 | -32 | -32 |
| 2024 Q4 | 113 | 607 | +0 | -30 | -30 |
| 2024 Q3 | 120 | 630 | +0 | -21 | -21 |
| 2024 Q2 | 128 | 643 | +0 | -20 | -20 |
| 2024 Q1 | 140 | 651 | +0 | -16 | -16 |
| 2023 Q4 | 159 | 648 | +0 | -19 | -19 |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
Typical mileage
Half of all Ulysses tested had between 103,860 and 156,914 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 128,774 median miles, the Ulysse has 0.025 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Fiat models
| Fiat 500 | 75% |
| Fiat Ducato | 75.4% |
| Fiat Panda | 71.7% |
| Fiat Punto | 65.7% |
| Fiat Doblo | 71.6% |
Common questions
What is the Fiat Ulysse MOT pass rate?
The Fiat Ulysse has a 68% MOT pass rate based on 275 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Fiat Ulysse?
The most common MOT failure on the Fiat Ulysse is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 21 failures. Other common issues include 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.
How many Fiat Ulysses are on UK roads?
There are 95 Fiat Ulysses currently licensed on UK roads, with 577 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Fiat Ulysse at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Fiat Ulysse is 128,774 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 103,860 and 156,914 miles.
Buying a used Ulysse?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 68% pass rate and an average repair bill of £144 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 27.3% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.