Fiat Punto 55 S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat Punto 55 S car check
Is the Fiat Punto 55 S reliable? We analysed 32,204 real MOT tests across 6,940 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat Punto 55 S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat Punto 55 S 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 parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Punto 55 S.
Fiat Punto 55 S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat Punto 55 S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat Punto 55 S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat Punto 55 S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat Punto 55 S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat Punto 55 S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat Punto 55 S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat Punto 55 S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat Punto 55 S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Punto 55 S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 5,911 | 60.7% | 62,070 | 74,767 | 88,993 |
| 1996 | 12,229 | 59.9% | 65,240 | 79,390 | 94,127 |
| 1995 | 10,129 | 59.2% | 69,416 | 84,036 | 98,502 |
| 1994 | 3,858 | 57.4% | 72,191 | 88,254 | 102,923 |
How Long Does a Fiat Punto 55 S Last?
Based on 6,940 Fiat Punto 55 S vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat Punto 55 S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Punto 55 S 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 55 S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
60.7% MOT pass rate from 5,911 tests
57.4% MOT pass rate from 3,858 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat Punto 55 S is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 60.7% across 5,911 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 57.4% — 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 S 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 S THIS CAR | 59.5% | 32,204 | 80,894 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 |
| Honda Jazz Ex I-mmd CVT | 93.6% | 33,704 | 16,803 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Punto 55 S trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat Punto 55 S 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 Punto 55 SShould you buy a used Fiat Punto 55 S?
The Fiat Punto 55 S has an overall MOT pass rate of 59.5% across 32,204 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Fiat Punto 55 S are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,834 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (2,366), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (2,123). 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 S owner drives around 5,419 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 S 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.