Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2001 Fiat Stilo?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2001 Fiat Stilo?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2001 Fiat Stilo?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2001 Fiat Stilo vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

32% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2001 Fiat Stilo reliable?

Based on MOT data from 120 vehicles, the 2001 Fiat Stilo has a first-time MOT pass rate of 66.5%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2001 Fiat Stilo?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2001 Fiat Stilo are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (82.2% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (81.4% of vehicles), Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (64.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2001 Fiat Stilo?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Fiat Stilo (2001)

120 real MOT outcomes analysed • 66.5% first-time pass rate

2001 Fiat Stilo

CarHunch analysed 120 real MOT records for the 2001 Fiat Stilo. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2001 Fiat Stilo is significantly less reliable than the UK average, with only 66.5% of vehicles passing their MOT first time compared to 80% nationally—and nearly a third have recorded dangerous defects at some point, which is a genuine buyer concern. Petrol and diesel breakdowns aren't available, but the overall picture suggests this model struggles with age-related wear.

At around 68,000 miles on average, these Stilos are holding typical mileage for their age, yet they're averaging nearly 4 failures and 11 advisories per test, indicating recurring maintenance issues rather than isolated problems. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the braking system, suspension, and electrical components—the high advisory count suggests these areas are where owners commonly face expense.

We have limited data for the 2001 Fiat Stilo — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

66.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

31.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.88

Over 11 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

61k

Middle half: 48k–70k

For context

These stats describe 120 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 120 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 82.2%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Lighting 64.1%

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated · Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Other issues 44.6%

Oil leak · Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Brake wear 33%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Exhaust & emissions 32.8%

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases · Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 120 Fiat Stilo cars.

Before you buy a 2001 Fiat Stilo

Based on MOT data from 120 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 31.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (80%)	96	67.2%	3.97

Mileage Distribution

Most 2001 Fiat Stilo vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

61,463

typical

47,566

low mileage

70,463

high mileage

Half of all 2001 Fiat Stilo vehicles fall between 47,566 and 70,463 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 47,566 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 47,566–70,463 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2001 Fiat Stilos sit.

⚠ Over 95,125 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.88

Avg failures per vehicle

10.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Fiat Stilo: All Stilo years → Which year to buy? →

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Or browse all models: Fiat →

Compare with another model

See how the 2001 Fiat Stilo stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on