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

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 Ulysse?

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 Ulysse?

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 Ulysse vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% 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 Ulysse reliable?

Based on MOT data from 794 vehicles, the 2001 Fiat Ulysse has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.6%, 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 Ulysse?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2001 Fiat Ulysse are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (69.2% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (65.2% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (63.5% 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 Ulysse?

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 Ulysse (2001)

794 real MOT outcomes analysed • 69.6% first-time pass rate

2001 Fiat Ulysse

CarHunch analysed 794 real MOT records for the 2001 Fiat Ulysse. 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 Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2001 Fiat Ulysse is notably less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of 69.6% against the 80% benchmark—a concerning 10-point gap. More troubling is that nearly a quarter of these vehicles (23.2%) have recorded a dangerous defect during their MOT history, which is well above acceptable for a family MPV.

At an average mileage of 94,565 miles, these Ulysses have been well-used, and the data bears that out: owners face an average of 3.82 failures and 14 advisories per test, suggesting multiple components are wearing out simultaneously. If you're considering one, prioritise a full pre-purchase inspection covering the brake and suspension systems, which typically dominate the failure list for this generation.

The 2001 Fiat Ulysse has a below-average first-time pass rate (69.6% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ 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

69.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

23.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.82

Over 11.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

75k

Middle half: 60k–94k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 14 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 794 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 794 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 69.2%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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.

Brake wear 63.5%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

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

Other issues 47.2%

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

Wipers & washers 26.8%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Exhaust & emissions 26.2%

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 794 Fiat Ulysse cars.

Before you buy a 2001 Fiat Ulysse

Based on MOT data from 794 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23.2% 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 (53%)	418	68%	4.3
Diesel (47%)	373	71.4%	3.28

Colour Breakdown

Based on 11,082 Fiat Ulysse vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 37.4%

4,142

Grey 19.7%

2,187

Red 17%

1,880

Green 11.4%

1,259

Black 11.1%

1,225

White 3.1%

342

Silver 0.4%

Maroon 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2001 Fiat Ulysse 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.

75,350

typical

60,246

low mileage

93,995

high mileage

Half of all 2001 Fiat Ulysse vehicles fall between 60,246 and 93,995 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 60,246 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.

✓ 60,246–93,995 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2001 Fiat Ulysses sit.

⚠ Over 126,893 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2001 Fiat Ulysse — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 6% of 2001 Fiat Ulysses are still active.

Numbers are declining — 20 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (6% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.82

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005

Or browse all models: Fiat →

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

Buyer beware — pass it on