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Fiat Punto 55 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Fiat Punto 55 car check

Is the Fiat Punto 55 reliable? We analysed 4,420 real MOT tests across 852 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,420 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
59.1%
Typical Mileage
81,068mi
Annual Mileage
5,411mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Fiat Punto 55 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Punto 55.

Fiat Punto 55 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Fiat Punto 55. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Fiat Punto 55 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Fiat Punto 55 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

59.6%
1997
60%
1996
58.5%
1995
56.1%
1994

Fiat Punto 55 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Fiat Punto 55 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 377
Brake pipe excessively corroded 358
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 343
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 283
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 243
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 228
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 216
Registration plate lamp not working 216
position lamp(s) not working 214
parking brake recording little or no effort 182

Fiat Punto 55 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Fiat Punto 55 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,589 mi/yr
Typical
5,411 mi/yr
Average
6,450 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,800 mi/yr

Fiat Punto 55 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Punto 55 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1997 929 59.6% 62,233 74,929 87,920
1996 1,685 60.0% 67,924 80,718 94,328
1995 1,307 58.5% 69,554 83,614 100,570
1994 465 56.1% 71,989 86,379 101,532

How Long Does a Fiat Punto 55 Last?

Based on 852 Fiat Punto 55 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.9 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Fiat Punto 55 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Punto 55 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
81,068 mi
75th Percentile
95,788 mi
95th Percentile
119,411 mi
Max Recorded
895,538 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Fiat Punto 55

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1996

60.0% MOT pass rate from 1,685 tests

Year to avoid
1994

56.1% MOT pass rate from 465 tests

The best year to buy a used Fiat Punto 55 is 1996, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 60.0% across 1,685 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.1% — 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 55 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Fiat Punto 55 THIS CAR 59.1% 4,420 81,068 mi 32 yrs
Fiat Punto 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
Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI Evo S-a 90.2% 2,549 37,478 mi — yrs

Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Punto 55 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Fiat Punto 55?

The Fiat Punto 55 has an overall MOT pass rate of 59.1% across 4,420 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Fiat Punto 55 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (377 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (358), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (343). 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 55 owner drives around 5,411 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 55 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.

Fiat Punto 55 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fiat Punto 55 reliable?
Based on 4,420 MOT tests, the Fiat Punto 55 has a 59.1% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Fiat Punto 55?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded, and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Fiat Punto 55 do per year?
The typical Fiat Punto 55 does around 5,411 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Fiat Punto 55 last?
Most Fiat Punto 55 models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 852 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Fiat Punto 55?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Fiat Punto 55?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Fiat Punto 55 is 1996 with a 60.0% pass rate across 1,685 tests.