Fiat Doblo road tests and consumer car reviews

Fiat Doblo 1.9 Multijet Dynamic 2006

This is my 2nd Doblo. Part ex’d the first one after 120k miles for this one which had done 17k miles. It has been just as dependable as the first, but has let me down once; something electrical had corroded, but the car was out of warranty. My dealer was/is OK but a good nag with Fiat Customer Services got me a £200 voucher against servicing so... Like the first, it is very sensitive to front tracking. It is easy to go through front tyres quickly if you keep kerbing the car. I find it one of the most comfortable cars I have ever driven; I’m 6’4" and have never suffered back ache in it. Yes it rolls around a bit and yes it looks like a brick, but I cannot think of anything I would replace it with. The new Doblo looks too big, I would ideally like 4x4 for Northeast winters and maybe a longer top or 6th gear as the mpg falls on motorways at anything over 70 thanks to the hopeless aerodynamics. But generally it indicates about 48.8. Also, like the old one, the indicator forgets to cancel itself and you cannot hear the click! Ditch the o/e radio but keep the speakers as they’re not bad. I’m not surprised so many taxis up here are Doblos. Guess I’ll keep this one for a good while yet. This is my 6th Fiat, I really have never had a bad one. Just don’t start me on my Citroen traumas.....!

Fiat Doblo 2.9 Turbo 2004

Love it! I have owned several so called luxury cars, but use mine to ferry a group of four friends on photo trips from Cornwall to Scottish Highlands and all over UK. Most economical car I have ever owned and I have a heavy foot! It’s truly comfortable on long journeys both as a passenger and driver. Ex-police driver friend and a car mech recently shared the journey to and around the Highlands. Fought for chance to drive it as hugely impressed! One of the group is a Berlingo owner and was also very impressed. Forget the look and consider space, comfort and economy as more important! It’s no slouch either!

Fiat Doblo 1.9 Diesel 2001

Bought this used around 5 years ago and have put over 50,000 miles on it. First the good stuff - it’s big on the outside but massive on the inside - we go camping with masses of stuff, three kids and a dog and it swallows it all. For the size of car it’s cheap to buy and cheap to run. We had an old Volvo estate previous to this and the Doblo holds more. It’s been relatively reliable - never left us standing by the roadside and no massive repair bills. Height makes it easy to spot in Sainsbury’s car park! The bad stuff: You need to thrash it to get any kind of acceleration out of it - fully loaded on some long drags on dual carriageways you have to drop a gear and put your foot to the floor just to hold 50mph. Mostly it’s OK though - especially if it isn’t loaded and you don’t buy one as a sports car. Some of the newer models are a lot more pokey and just as economical. Whilst there have been no big repairs there have been a fair few little niggly ones - often to do with the door switches and suchlike - the sliding doors are good but seem to be a source of glitches. Inside is cheap and cheerful - if you like your luxury this isn’t for you - if you want it as a working vehicle and aren’t houseproud then maybe it is. Would I get another - yes - because I need the space and I’m on a budget. If you want a drivers car and don’t need quite so much space you’d be better off with a traditional estate.

Fiat Doblo 1.4 Active 2006

Bought this MPV because of its value for money and front passenger foot space (my wife is disabled and the Berlingo was rubbish in this regard), and I have not been disappointed. In just over 3 years I have covered well over 40,000 miles both in the UK and abroad without even a hint of a problem. The dealer, GMD Durham have been spot on. The most annoying things about the car are the non-swivelling sun visors which are very poor in low level sun situations, and the rather van-like ride for rear seat passengers. Would I buy another? Probably, if I get a similar purchase deal.

Fiat Doblo JTD 2003

This car ticks all the boxes for carrying and being versatile, very economical I had have mine since new traveled the continent every year and every year something happens.The turbo failed had to replace it and the catalytic complete exhaust, (not funny driving up the mountain roads at 20 mph). The next year the bearing on the drive shaft, the wiper mechanism had to be replaced, the clutch at 60k and finally I had to replace a head lamp bulb; the holder broke it cost £250 to replace then the radiator started to leak £350 to replace. The last MOT the rear spring bushes had to be replaced, oh no they come complete with the springs very expensive don’t have the bill in front of me. New battery. This car has been serviced at a Fiat franchise, oh yes it has covered 86k the body is in better condition than the mechanics, how can I sell this car with so many new parts on it?

Fiat Doblo 1.3 multijet 2008

I have had a Fiat Doblo 1.3 multijet from new, 2008 as a motability vehicle. From the first day of driving the vehicle the door sensors were showing doors open, buzzing and even your indoor lights flashing when driving in the evening. I have had to turn the alert buzzer off via the menu system as it was driving me nuts. Had the rear door lock replaced, no different. ABS failure alert when starting up and periodically getting air bag error, resetting of the date time and mpg data etc. Obviously to me it certainly seams an electrical fault. But getting a solution seems bleak. Accelorator pedal sticking. Been back with it to the dealers without much success. This is a shame as otherwise I would have found the vehicle ideal for my mobility needs. It’s comfortable, plenty of room, and great boot space. The size of the engine is pretty good for a 1.3 engine and it drives well. The customer service is very poor from Fiat, I certainly will not be looking in getting another one. The 2 rating is because I have so far not had a solution to the faults in question.

Fiat Doblo jtd 1.9 family 2007

Rubbish! Dealers unhelpful, spent last 6 months in and out of the garage with particulate filter problems. The dealership tried to charge me £1600 although the car was in warranty and had only done 17000 miles. Threatened legal action and it was fixed by "blowing a bit of air down it"... It broke down 5 miles later. Please do not buy any kind of Fiat, the dealers are unsupportive (Sunwin of Derby) and the car is simply terrible. You have been warned.

Fiat Doblo JTD Family 2005

Would have had much better rating until last August, three weeks after warranty ran out. That’s when the water pump went damaging the cam belt. Both had to be replaced - which I was told was very unusual for age and mileage of car (I do about 16K per annum). So far this year I have replaced tyres due to faulty tracking and they’re still wearing unevenly, had to have rear door lock seen to (for second time) and one of sliding door catches... had to replace cat on exhaust (quoted literally twice as much for part by dealer than Kwik Fit), rear wiper motor sticking and advised I should replace (front one went after only two years though it wasn’t the motor that was at fault but a mechanical part, but you can’t get just that)... and now ,apparently, two weeks after full service (minus 70K cam belt replacement see above) and one day after passing MOT the EGR valve needs replacing or car won’t start from cold. AARGH. All this is approaching £1000 spent in just over a month. Other than that the car has done just what I want and is a lot of space for the initial price - but spares, blimey don’t they make up for it then... Very reliable for first 50K miles thereafter it’s been a bit of a nightmare. I would replace it, but maybe it’s one of those that needs replacing before the warranty runs out despite what you lose in near instant depreciation...

Responses to this review

Hello, I had the EGR thing scare, changed to a new more powerful battery and now it’s gone. Still, the dealers should know this detail - Gildas Dubois from France

Fiat Doblo JTD 2002

I have run my Doblo JTD since 2002 & it has covered 100,000 miles & never let me down. It was given a new battery & exhaust this year but has cost me nothing else other than servicing. In the meantime I have a run a Skoda Fabia vRS, Porsche Boxster & Renaultsport Clio 172, all of which have let me down in different ways at different times. The inside is huge, performance is adequate, fuel consumption excellent & it looks like it will run for many miles yet. I have even taken it for 5 laps of the Nurburgring. I love it.

Fiat Doblo petrol mpv 2007

Petrol version does 40 mpg if you drive like a granny. Good for developing patience and understanding of other road users, who drive inferior vehicles. Or not as the case may be. Juddery clutch, v. light, requires a few revs on take up same as some other cars. On the whole, good and comfy for arthritics etc. Will get another.

Fiat Doblo 2008

Have had our Doblo from new in April 2008, please with vehicle but not dealer. Day 1 couldn’t lock as dodgy sensor on back sliding door-obviously not PDi’d properly, also hardly sent out properly de-waxed and cleaned for a new vehicle. Loud clunck when steering on full lock-service manager said Fiat ’know about it’ and are working on modification-wait till 1st service. Since then clutch noise/burn and smell. Dealer have now booked in to get both problems sorted under warranty-want car for at least a week, it goes in next week-will keep you posted.

Fiat Doblo Doblo 1.9jtd Active 2007

Disgusting customer service, noisy gearbox and clutch judder from new, Fiat could not diagnose correctly so advised to let it develop! Once the vehicle is 12 months old the clutch is no longer covered by warranty - beware. Terrible ride, if you want an MPVdon’t buy this and expect a car it’s most definitely a van, not a car. We had a Berlingo before it and would recommend the Citroen but no way buy a Fiat. The 1.9jtd is noisy, thirsty but provides good performance.

Fiat Doblo 1.9

Bought the car in July 07 from evans Halshaw (Fiat) Leeds. (06 model) very happy with the car (van!) not so happy with the garage! I have had a problem with the clutch since day one! I have been told by a garage (not fiat) that this engine had a recall problem with the clutch (judering when starting off!) but it was repaired under warranty by Fiat, has anyone any knowledge about this? I would be very grateful for any feed back as the Fiat garage are quoting me £700 for a new clutch!!! (other garage £200!!!) I am starting legal action against the garage as the fault was present from the day I bought the car. If you can offer any help / information call Jim Hassett on 07900322321, or e-mail at alan.hassett@ntlworld.com thanks. 5 seater car..

Fiat Doblo 5dr MPV

06 plate dobbin now 19 months old. I have to say that this is a fantastic car. Being on the large side, I have always found problems getting into and driving cars - the smaller cars seem to have more room for the driver! but they are no good for the family. Plenty of room for five adults to sit comfortably (all above average height/weight) (one guy has a range rover said he had more room in the doblo!) Been away a few times. Two big teenage lads in the back plus a labrador, a boot jam packed with cases, tents, food. Three bikes on the back & the 1.9jtd could still shift on the motorway. Fuel economy is hit and miss. Supermarket fuel delivers 400 miles to the tank around town and similar on a run - usually foot down on the motorway though. Branded fuel has given me 40 - 50 miles more around town. I generally let the tank run down until the light comes on & that usually takes 10 gallons to fill. (book says the tank is larger so I reckon the light comes on too soon - not necessarily a bad thing) It is possible to get more out of a tankful but the 1.9 turbo diesel engine has so much poke it's difficult holding back when the boy racers sit beside you at the lights. Official figures give a 0 - 60 in terms of days but I've left many a car standing - which also explains the poor fuel economy. This is the first car I have been able to drive without having the seat reclined - there is masses of headroom AND I can step into the driver's seat (rather than trying to shoehorn myself in). The only downside for me is the plastic trim around/under the gearstick digs into my leg - but that is really down to my size & not bad design (I'd have had the gear lever coming out of the dash!). In my opinion, this car beats all the other MPVs hands down - similar in length and width to the sharan, zafira etc but with loads more interior room due to the lack of padded trim (ok, it's cheapo trim), but there is also loads more height. In my opinion, this car beats all the other MPVs hands down - similar in length and width to the sharan, zafira etc but with loads more interior room due to the lack of padded trim (ok, it's cheapo trim), but there is also loads more height. These have been around 6 or 7 years now & I know one owner who has gone beyond the 1/4 million miles mark in a 3 year old & still going strong. These babys are thashed as taxis as well as commercials and they just keep on going. Only downside so far is the rear light clusters can be awkward to remove - if you aren't careful, you lose one of the nuts into the bodywork, and some work under the engine can be awkward according to other owners but otherwise, you can't go wrong.