2003 Fiat Punto · 6,047 MOT tests
2003 Fiat Punto reliability
2003 Fiat Puntos fail 48.6% of first MOT tests, 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 18 Punto years (6,047 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Fiat Puntos: 44.5%)
- 48.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Fiat Puntos: 44.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 24% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 71,612
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 6,047
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 12.6% of tests fail here (404% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 20% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Fiat Punto
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.7%
- Body, chassis and structure17.6%
- Suspension15%
- Seat belts and airbags12.6%
- Brakes11.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Seat belt anchor area weakened 8.29%
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.78%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 5.66%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.23%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 5.06%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Exhaust has major gas leak 4.75%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Common advisories
Coil spring showing some corrosion (23.07%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (18.69%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.47%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.61%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (7.97%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.38%)
Other years
Every Fiat Punto year
The full picture: Fiat Punto reliability. Before you pay for any Fiat Punto, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Fiat Punto reliable?
2003 Fiat Puntos fail 48.6% of first MOT tests, 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 18 Punto years (6,047 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Fiat Punto MOT?
Most often seat belt anchor area weakened (8.29% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.78% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (5.66% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Fiat Punto have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Fiat Punto shows 71,612 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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