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Fiat's Doblo van evolved in this Stellantis-designed third generation form, which brought the option of an all-electric version. Much about this MK3 model was shared with competing brands in the sector for compact LCVs, but this one still deserves a look if you're seeking a modern value-based package.
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History
In 2022, the Doblo compact LCV model switched from being a primarily Fiat-sourced design to one with shared Stellantis Group underpinnings. Specifically here the EMP2 chassis already used by the Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo, Vauxhall Combo Cargo and Toyota Proace City. Which meant there could be an all-electric E-Doblo model too.
There was inevitably good and bad in this. Good in that it brought us a much more sophisticated Doblo than businesses had ever had access to before. And bad in that it also brought us the priciest Doblo we'd ever seen here. Diesel and EV versions of this Doblo sold in this form until early 2024, when this design was updated with a facelifted model.
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What you get
This Doblo might be a re-badged version of an existing Stellantis Group small LCV design but at least from the front end, it doesn't look it. The nose gives this van its own sense of urban style, with Fiat's retro brand badge where you'd normally expect the grille to be: cooling is taken care of by a large intake lower down. As you'd expect, there are long and short wheelbase van and 5-seater Crew Cab versions. Sadly though, there's no option for the kind of high roof variant that was so useful to operators with the previous generation Doblo Cargo.
Inside, the dash and instrument layout is of course as you'll find it with this model's other Stellantis cousins. You'll like the 'Magic Cargo' feature, which on plusher models enables the van to carry up to three people in the front seats or, alternatively, increase the cargo area's length and loading volume. The passenger-side seat can be raised and the compartment underneath used for boxes or fragile items.
The dimensions are perfectly in line with the segment, with a length of 4,403mm for the short wheelbase version, ensuring an optimum effective usable length of 1.81m and a 3.3m3 capacity, sufficient to accommodate two Euro pallets. There's the usual sliding side door (you get twin slide-opening side doors on the L2 Maxi version) and with both body styles, there are the usual twin side-hinged rear doors that open to 180 degrees.
That long wheelbase L2 Maxi version, which is 4,753mm long, of course provides even greater load capacity - 3.9m3. Even more space can be freed up with the clever 'Magic Cargo' feature which Fiat fitted with the plusher 'Primo' trim level. This uses a folding front passenger bench to add an extra 0.4m3, while also increasing the maximum load length by 1.3m. Payload across the range is up to 1,000kgs. And with the diesel, there's a 1.5-tonne towing capability that's un-bettered in the class.
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What to look for
This third generation Doblo generally has a strong reliability record, but our ownership survey did throw up a few issues to look out for. We are going to concentrate on the diesel model here, because that's the most common version most used vehicle buyers will be looking for. The exhaust gas recirculation valve commonly fails on black pump-fuelled models. Signs from include rough idling, increased fuel consumption and reduced power. Regular cleaning can alleviate this issue. We also come across timing belt issues. The timing belt requires replacement at specific intervals, usually 60,000 miles. If the previous owner hasn't done that, this can result in huge engine damage. Check the service history to see whether the timing belt has been changed when it should have been. We've also come across gearbox problems with the manual transmission, which can develop synchromesh wear, particularly in 2nd and 3rd gears. On your test drive, look out for grinding noises when changing gear - and for difficulty were engaging reverse.
We've come across various electrical system faults, particularly regarding the battery management set-up and the alternator. Look out for dashboard warning lights that are illuminating randomly. We also came across diesel particulate filter blockages, usually with versions of this van that have mainly been used in town. And there have been a few turbocharger failures, usually caused due to oil starvation or excessive carbon build-up. Signs of this include loss of power, blue smoke from the exhaust and whistling noises. The front suspension arms and bushes sometimes wear prematurely - look out for knocking sounds going over bumps. And we've heard of fuel injector problems - the injectors can become clogged or fail completely. If the Doblo you're trying runs roughly, starts poorly and exhibits excessive smoke, this could be why.
We've heard of clutch wear - watch for slipping, juddering and high biting points. And there have been issues with door mechanism failures, the braking system, the air conditioning, the oil pump, the starter motor and the windscreen wiper mechanism. Insist on a full service history and negotiate on the price if the cargo area is scraped and dented. The electric version has got a reasonable reliability record, but has exhibited software faults. Test drive very carefully. And make sure the vehicle charges as it should and that the charging lead is not damaged.
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Replacement parts
(approx prices, based on a 2022 Doblo 1.5 102hp - ex-VAT - autodoc.co.uk) As with most Fiat models, spare parts are reasonably priced and very plentiful. Front brake pads sell in the £21-£30 bracket - rear pads are from around £17. Front brake discs range in the £28-£65 bracket (rears are priced from around £25). An air filter is in the £7-£32 bracket, a fuel filter is around £12-£27 and an oil filter is around £6-£21. A wiper blade is in the £5-£43 bracket. A water pump and timing belt kit is in the £80-£152 bracket. You'll pay in the £110-£240 bracket for a starter motor.
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On the road
One day in the not-too-distant future, you won't be able to acquire a new van of this size with a combustion engine, but for the time being, fossil-fuelled powerplants are very much alive and well in the Doblo range. If you don't care about the current zeitgeist, you'll probably want a diesel, so Fiat offers two 1.5-litre units, one with 99bhp and the other with 128bhp. There's also a (rare) 1.2-litre three cylinder turbo petrol powerplant (also Peugeot/Citroen-derived) with 109bhp.
The alternative all-electric E-Doblo uses exactly the same powertrain as its Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo, Vauxhall Combo Cargo and Toyota Proace City segment cousins. Start up and there's the usual beep as you get the sign that all is ready to pull away; which you do in the default 'Normal' drive mode. The other selectable drive settings are 'Eco' and 'Power'. You'll need the 'Power' mode to unleash the electric motor's full 134bhp output, though if you drive like that, you will of course get nowhere near the 50kWh battery's WLTP-rated best driving range figure of up to 175 miles. Obviously that'll fall with heavy loads in the back.
As usual with EVs, if you do need performance, it's only a right foot jab away; 62mph from rest occupies 11.2s, but the instant response you get to 30mph makes this LCV feel quicker than that. Overtakes are easy too; 50-75 mph takes 8.9s.
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Overall
And in summary? Well we'd be disappointed if Fiat stopped fundamentally designing its own cars, but it does seem logical in the current climate for the brand to be sharing the design of its vans. As it's done for decades with its medium and large-sized models. Even the city-shaped tiny Fiorano van was a shared design. But prior to 2022, the Dobo LCV had always been very much a Fiat-sourced confection. With this MK3 design, that changed.
At least it retained its own unique front-end look. And the E-Doblo's fractional range advantage over its Stellantis Group cousins and Fiat's slightly more business-focused dealer network might be selling points that sway you this Italian model's way. These are fractional advantages, but these days, the difference between small vans tends to be just that - fractional. This one's worth a place on your shortlist.
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