Small car · 1996–2018 cars
Fiat Punto reliability
The Fiat Punto fails 44.5% of first MOT tests, 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 239,494 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Fiat Punto before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 44.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 24% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 239,494
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Fiat Punto is a below-average buy for reliability. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 44.5%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 24% more MOT fails, ranking 45 of 63 small car models. The 2009 model year fared best, with 12% more fails, while 2018 was weakest, with 99% more.
A below-average model can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Its weakest area is exhaust, emissions and leaks, with 105% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage. When viewing, check the position lamp, the coil springs for breaks, the exhaust for major gas leaks and the stop lamp. These are among its most common MOT failures.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Fiat Punto ages
Each point is the share of Fiat Puntos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Fiat Punto | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 19.4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 20.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 22.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 27.7% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 32.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 38% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 41.2% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 42.4% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 42.8% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 43.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 43.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 47% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 48.6% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 48.7% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 49% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 49.3% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 48.8% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 48.4% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 45.9% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 43.6% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 43.7% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 42.9% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 31.6% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Fiat Punto years
2009 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Punto | 1,075 | 26.3% | 99% more fails | 26,516 |
| 2017 Punto | 4,068 | 25.3% | 65% more fails | 32,640 |
| 2016 Punto | 5,616 | 28.6% | 58% more fails | 40,190 |
| 2015 Punto | 8,169 | 32.6% | 51% more fails | 49,645 |
| 2014 Punto | 12,557 | 40.1% | 57% more fails | 58,376 |
| 2013 Punto | 15,392 | 42.9% | 48% more fails | 64,988 |
| 2012 Punto | 21,625 | 42.1% | 33% more fails | 70,484 |
| 2011 Punto | 21,167 | 43.1% | 23% more fails | 78,238 |
| 2010 Punto | 23,607 | 43.9% | 16% more fails | 84,350 |
| 2009 Punto | 7,605 | 44.2% | 12% more fails | 82,592 |
| 2008 Punto | 23,261 | 47.8% | 16% more fails | 88,090 |
| 2007 Punto | 37,941 | 48.9% | 17% more fails | 88,142 |
| 2006 Punto | 27,236 | 48.7% | 16% more fails | 87,738 |
| 2005 Punto | 7,297 | 47.2% | 18% more fails | 76,227 |
| 2004 Punto | 10,229 | 49.9% | 24% more fails | 77,360 |
| 2003 Punto | 6,047 | 48.6% | 24% more fails | 71,612 |
| 2002 Punto | 3,450 | 46.8% | 22% more fails | 68,555 |
| 2001 Punto | 1,550 | 44.5% | 24% more fails | 60,293 |
| 2000 | 616 | 48.5% | 36% more fails | 65,020 |
| 1999 | 407 | 40.8% | 23% more fails | 58,699 |
| 1998 | 435 | 31% | 8% fewer fails | 71,452 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Fiat Punto
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 105% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.8%45% above avg
- Suspension14.9%15% above avg
- Brakes9.7%8% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.3%105% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure8.9%65% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.8%34% above avg
- Tyres7.3%11% above avg
- Steering4.4%69% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.4%63% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 5.02% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.5% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.91% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 4
Stop lamp not working 3.91% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.52% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 6
Lambda reading outside specified limits 3.49% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 7
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.97% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.97% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat Punto's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.09%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion15.36%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive11.69%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.51%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak8.48%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.9%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Fiat Punto
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Exhaust has major gas leak
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Fiat Punto covers about 6,600 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol96.1%
- Diesel3.9%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Blue, Grey, White, Black, Red
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Fiat Punto compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Fusion | 40.6% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Rio | 30.9% | 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 206 | 48.5% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford B-Max | 27.2% | 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Punto | 44.5% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën DS3 | 46% | 51% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Dacia Sandero | 30.8% | 62% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Fiat models.
Questions
Fiat Punto questions, answered
Is the Fiat Punto reliable?
On MOT results, the Fiat Punto is below average: it fails 44.5% of first MOT tests, 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 45 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Fiat Punto MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Fiat Punto are position lamp not working (5.02% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.5% of tests), exhaust has major gas leak (3.91% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 22.8% of its tests.
Which Fiat Punto year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (12% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (99% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Fiat Punto do a year?
A typical Fiat Punto covers about 6,600 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Fiat Punto before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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