Fiat Punto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat Punto car check
Is the Fiat Punto reliable? We analysed 6,712,102 real MOT tests across 579,551 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat Punto? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat Punto is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Punto.
Fiat Punto Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat Punto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat Punto MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat Punto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat Punto Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat Punto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat Punto Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat Punto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat Punto MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Punto year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2,263 | 78.5% | 16,855 | 27,133 | 43,538 |
| 2017 | 10,011 | 80.4% | 19,038 | 30,513 | 46,131 |
| 2016 | 15,734 | 79.6% | 22,575 | 35,566 | 52,409 |
| 2015 | 26,651 | 77.6% | 25,893 | 40,578 | 58,974 |
| 2014 | 47,398 | 74.0% | 30,036 | 45,676 | 65,220 |
| 2013 | 66,869 | 72.0% | 32,575 | 49,483 | 69,816 |
| 2012 | 100,755 | 72.5% | 33,463 | 51,720 | 73,216 |
| 2011 | 86,588 | 72.9% | 36,905 | 56,871 | 79,422 |
| 2010 | 117,673 | 72.4% | 38,523 | 59,127 | 82,255 |
| 2009 | 59,128 | 72.2% | 35,797 | 56,596 | 81,075 |
| 2008 | 252,666 | 71.1% | 38,942 | 60,191 | 84,038 |
| 2007 | 556,048 | 71.0% | 38,380 | 59,597 | 82,949 |
| 2006 | 626,642 | 69.6% | 37,850 | 58,567 | 81,714 |
| 2005 | 254,709 | 71.5% | 34,924 | 54,210 | 76,255 |
| 2004 | 644,956 | 70.6% | 36,774 | 56,088 | 77,899 |
| 2003 | 741,798 | 70.1% | 37,750 | 57,045 | 78,623 |
| 2002 | 755,220 | 69.8% | 41,173 | 59,323 | 79,514 |
| 2001 | 677,128 | 68.5% | 44,462 | 61,285 | 79,986 |
| 2000 | 527,469 | 66.0% | 49,162 | 65,187 | 82,860 |
| 1999 | 280,100 | 63.7% | 50,604 | 65,539 | 82,085 |
How Long Does a Fiat Punto Last?
Based on 579,551 Fiat Punto vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat Punto Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Punto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Fiat Punto
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.4% MOT pass rate from 10,011 tests
55.6% MOT pass rate from 108 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat Punto is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.4% across 10,011 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 55.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Fiat Punto Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat Punto THIS CAR | 68.7% | 6,712,102 | 61,468 mi | 32 yrs |
| Fiat 500 | 76.9% | 3,854,072 | 42,469 mi | 18 yrs |
| Fiat Ducato | 75% | 1,962,737 | 48,690 mi | 38 yrs |
| Fiat Panda | 74.8% | 1,821,354 | 45,513 mi | 22 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz A-class | 77.6% | 4,204,702 | 57,023 mi | 28 yrs |
Compared to the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate) and the Fiat Ducato (75.0% pass rate), the Fiat Punto trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat Punto you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Fiat PuntoShould you buy a used Fiat Punto?
The Fiat Punto has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.7% across 6,712,102 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Fiat Punto are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (377,326 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (231,791), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (192,244). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Fiat Punto owner drives around 5,424 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Fiat Punto models stay on UK roads for around 32 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.