Fiat Punto MOT pass rate and common problems
63.8% of 88,008 Fiat Punto MOT tests pass.
The Punto passes 63.8% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Fiat models (74.3%).
The Fiat Punto passes 63.8% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Fiat Punto?
This is the average across every Fiat Punto in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Fiat’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 79.4% at 3–6 years to 59.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 79.4% | 262 | 33,926 miles |
| 6–10 years | 73.1% | 10,104 | 54,202 miles |
| 10–15 years | 65.7% | 36,095 | 80,781 miles |
| 15+ years | 59.9% | 41,547 | 87,211 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Fiat Punto
The most common reason the Fiat Punto fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 74.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 74.8% | Not working |
| Suspension | 38.7% | Fractured or broken |
| Brakes | 27.8% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 24.3% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Body, chassis, structure | 21.2% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Tyres | 17.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 15.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 11.1% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.3% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Road Wheels | 0.9% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Fiat Punto: what to check
These checks follow the Fiat Punto’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Fiat Punto comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 73.1% to 65.7%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 81.8% down to 72.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 74.8% of failed Fiat Punto MOTs. 38.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 9.5% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 38.7% of failed Fiat Punto MOTs. 22.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 9.9% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 27.8% of failed Fiat Punto MOTs. 13.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.1% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 24.3% of failed Fiat Punto MOTs. 13.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 1.1% at 3–6 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 21.2% of failed Fiat Punto MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Fiat service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Fiat models
- Fiat 500 — 74.8% pass rate
- Fiat Panda — 69.6% pass rate
- Fiat Ducato — 78.1% pass rate
- Fiat Doblo — 69.9% pass rate
- Fiat 500x — 81.3% pass rate
- Fiat 500c — 74.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Fiat Punto?
- 63.8% of Fiat Punto MOT tests pass, based on 88,008 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Fiat Punto?
- The most common reason the Fiat Punto fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 74.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Fiat Punto?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Fiat Punto are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 38.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 9.5% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Fiat Punto?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Fiat Punto's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Fiat service history guide for how to check and keep one.