Fiat Punto
From 99,054 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Puntos fare better: 2018 models pass at 76.3% vs 65.7% for 2001.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, exhaust system leaking or insecure, a lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 4,027 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 4,027 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 3,213 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 3,035 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 2,946 |
| lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 2,667 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 2,621 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 2,408 |
| stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 2,260 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 2,202 |
| a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 2,033 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 21.3% of Punto failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 26.2% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £125.
Fiat Punto on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 12,331 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 3 newly registered, a net loss of 12,328. At this rate, roughly 6.3 years until none remain. Now at 15.7% of its peak (495,183 in 2007 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 53,903 | 24,032 | +0 | -2,545 | -2,545 |
| 2025 Q2 | 56,450 | 24,030 | +1 | -2,838 | -2,837 |
| 2025 Q1 | 59,310 | 24,007 | +2 | -3,280 | -3,278 |
| 2024 Q4 | 62,266 | 24,329 | +0 | -3,668 | -3,668 |
| 2024 Q3 | 65,369 | 24,894 | +0 | -3,193 | -3,193 |
| 2024 Q2 | 68,331 | 25,125 | +0 | -2,815 | -2,815 |
| 2024 Q1 | 71,157 | 25,114 | +0 | -2,790 | -2,790 |
| 2023 Q4 | 74,210 | 24,851 | +0 | -2,559 | -2,559 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punto Active | Petrol | 8,175 | 18% |
| Punto Easy | Petrol | 6,028 | 13% |
| Grande Punto Active 77 | Petrol | 3,670 | 8% |
| Punto Pop | Petrol | 3,353 | 7% |
| Punto Evo Gp | Petrol | 2,903 | 6% |
| Punto Evo Active | Petrol | 2,861 | 6% |
| Punto Dynamic | Petrol | 2,315 | 5% |
| Punto Active 8V | Petrol | 2,178 | 5% |
| Punto Pop + | Petrol | 1,932 | 4% |
| Punto Gbt | Diesel | 1,914 | 4% |
| Punto Easy + | Petrol | 1,913 | 4% |
| Punto Evo Mylife | Petrol | 1,832 | 4% |
| Punto Evo Dynamic | Petrol | 1,372 | 3% |
| Grande Punto Sound | Diesel | 1,286 | 3% |
| Grande Punto Dynamic | Diesel | 899 | 2% |
| Punto Active Sport | Petrol | 772 | 2% |
| Punto Dynamic Sport 8V | Petrol | 688 | 2% |
| Grande Punto Gp 8V | Petrol | 579 | 1% |
| Punto Active Sport 8V | Petrol | 537 | 1% |
| Punto Eleganza 8V | Petrol | 483 | 1% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 76.3% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2017 | 76.6% | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2016 | 74% | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated |
| 2015 | 72.4% | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
20 earlier years
| 2014 | 68.7% | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2013 | 66.9% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2012 | 68% | lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2011 | 66.9% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2010 | 65.9% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2009 | 64.6% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2008 | 63.5% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2007 | 62.7% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2006 | 62.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2005 | 63.3% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 2004 | 61.4% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2003 | 63.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 2002 | 64.1% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2001 | 65.7% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 2000 | 56.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1999 | 63.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1998 | 76% | brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1997 | 75% | brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1996 | 75.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1995 | 67.2% | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. |
Typical mileage
Half of all Puntos tested had between 59,799 and 97,638 miles on the clock.
At 76,229 median miles, the Punto has 0.045 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Fiat models
| Fiat 500 | 75% |
| Fiat Ducato | 75.4% |
| Fiat Panda | 71.7% |
| Fiat Doblo | 71.6% |
| Fiat 500X | 80.1% |
Common questions
What is the Fiat Punto MOT pass rate?
The Fiat Punto has a 65.7% MOT pass rate based on 99,054 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Fiat Punto?
The most common MOT failure on the Fiat Punto is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 4,027 failures. Other common issues include exhaust system leaking or insecure.
How many Fiat Puntos are on UK roads?
There are 53,903 Fiat Puntos currently licensed on UK roads, with 24,032 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Fiat Punto at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Fiat Punto is 76,229 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 59,799 and 97,638 miles.
Buying a used Punto?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 65.7% pass rate and an average repair bill of £125 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.