My dear beloved needs a car/van compromise for the business and family. She has seen and liked the Doblo and is nearly ready to make a decision but she wants to know what to look out for. So far on various other websites the general trend is good apart from the odd hostile who just wants to rant but that doesn't really tell us about possible gremlins. Hope you can help.
General What to look out for.
- Thread starter french bean
- Start date
Currently reading:
General What to look out for.
My wiper mechanism broke, but left me with the driver's wiper working. The all new mechanism cost over £200. During the guarantee period the ancillary belt driving the alternator/power steering etc. collapsed; fixed with new tensioners, belt etc. under warranty: I was luckily able to limp into the garage without power steering. The front-end exhaust rusted through at about 40,000 miles and the centre section (with catalyst thingy) went a couple of weeks ago at 53000 miles. Price of a new centre section, fitted quickly, from the Citroen dealer
, cost £220, far less than Fiat quoted. The rear wiper motor packed up a few months ago and I have been quoted about £74 for a new motor - not fitted!
Sounds bad, but the car still drives like new with not a squeak - OK - from the rear springs sometimes but that's normal. It is quiet and comfortable and I have never owned a car that is as convenient to use. In short, I love it.
The faults I mention are not uncommon, particularly the belt failure and wiper mechanism. I am fearful of the dual mass clutch going bang one day of course, but I always cite my friends' Mercedes E Class estate, which needed two new catalysts in its first year, wheel bearings, new ECU, a respray of the rusty tailgate, and soon another wheel arch respray. The dashboard readouts are also packing up and they have been quoted £600 for a new display unit. They hate that car with a vengeance and will never buy a Merc again. It cost them £35000, my Doblo cost £9000. Similar mileage.
Hope this is of some use. No car is without problems, even the Japanese.
, cost £220, far less than Fiat quoted. The rear wiper motor packed up a few months ago and I have been quoted about £74 for a new motor - not fitted!Sounds bad, but the car still drives like new with not a squeak - OK - from the rear springs sometimes but that's normal. It is quiet and comfortable and I have never owned a car that is as convenient to use. In short, I love it.
The faults I mention are not uncommon, particularly the belt failure and wiper mechanism. I am fearful of the dual mass clutch going bang one day of course, but I always cite my friends' Mercedes E Class estate, which needed two new catalysts in its first year, wheel bearings, new ECU, a respray of the rusty tailgate, and soon another wheel arch respray. The dashboard readouts are also packing up and they have been quoted £600 for a new display unit. They hate that car with a vengeance and will never buy a Merc again. It cost them £35000, my Doblo cost £9000. Similar mileage.
Hope this is of some use. No car is without problems, even the Japanese.
theres no guarantees with cars , in general the doblos are sound! good engines (jtd's) great drive, cheap to run insure tax etc and if you get a good'en will last for thousands and thousands of miles , my advice buy second hand 12 months to 24 months old with full service history.
Will have lost main depreciation, and niggles from new will have been sorted under warranty and for not alot of money you could have a very comfortable caspacious work / family vehicle. had mine 29 months A++++ .
others have different stories but if you want total reliability buy a lexus!!!
Thanks for that Chrisb, I have told her not to expect the bullet proof reliability of her Honda's. We have seen one, ex motobility, 2 yrs old with a genuine 3k. Its a JTD, like my Stilo and at a dealer so if she is convinced about reliability, she will probably buy. She has test driven it and it ticks all the boxes for family/business use so here's hoping.
i wouldnt hesitate to recommend a doblo they might not win any awards for beauty but i wouldnt be without mine!, only issues i had was a dual mass flywheel an clutch replaced, and swapped the skinny 175 tyres for 205 width tyres on alloys to help wet grip! other than that its brillant transport i use mine for work, i have the back racked out and a bulkhead inserted in behind the rear seats so its a workhorse and still a 5 seater! its cheap to insure great economy and comfortable on long hauls, and its easy to service!
why would you want anything different!??
why would you want anything different!??
Niall_G
Established member
french bean,
Although I have no faith in the warranty or fiat's attitude to its customers I do feel that the Doblo is fundamentaly a good car.
Mrs_G has done well over 300,000 miles in hers. She is lucky and has the 105 bhp 1.9 JTD engine. During that time she has used 2 clutches, 1 radiator, 1 set of glow plugs, 3 sets of brake discs/pads (still on factory original rear brake drums/shoes!!), 2 wiper mechanisms (don't know why others are paying £200 for these, we paid about £75).
Before you buy one I'd suggest paying for a professional (AA/RAC etc) inspection, oh and treat any warranty documents as emergency toilet paper.
Hope you find one as good as Mrs_G's and have many carefree miles in it.
Although I have no faith in the warranty or fiat's attitude to its customers I do feel that the Doblo is fundamentaly a good car.
Mrs_G has done well over 300,000 miles in hers. She is lucky and has the 105 bhp 1.9 JTD engine. During that time she has used 2 clutches, 1 radiator, 1 set of glow plugs, 3 sets of brake discs/pads (still on factory original rear brake drums/shoes!!), 2 wiper mechanisms (don't know why others are paying £200 for these, we paid about £75).
Before you buy one I'd suggest paying for a professional (AA/RAC etc) inspection, oh and treat any warranty documents as emergency toilet paper.
Hope you find one as good as Mrs_G's and have many carefree miles in it.
Last edited:
