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Fiat Punto 55 SX Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Fiat Punto 55 SX car check

Is the Fiat Punto 55 SX reliable? We analysed 18,610 real MOT tests across 3,930 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 18,610 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
58.9%
Typical Mileage
82,814mi
Annual Mileage
5,609mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

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

Fiat Punto 55 SX Number Plates

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

Fiat Punto 55 SX MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

61%
1997
59.6%
1996
57.8%
1995
56.5%
1994

Fiat Punto 55 SX Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,680
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 1,459
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 1,271
Brake pipe excessively corroded 1,263
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 1,139
position lamp(s) not working 960
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 917
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 823
Registration plate lamp not working 816
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 814

Fiat Punto 55 SX Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,546 mi/yr
Typical
5,609 mi/yr
Average
6,515 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,133 mi/yr

Fiat Punto 55 SX MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1997 3,744 61.0% 63,189 78,077 93,390
1996 6,385 59.6% 66,584 80,322 94,222
1995 5,566 57.8% 70,562 85,522 100,499
1994 2,895 56.5% 75,694 90,221 105,547

How Long Does a Fiat Punto 55 SX Last?

Based on 3,930 Fiat Punto 55 SX vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.7 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Fiat Punto 55 SX Mileage Distribution

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

Median
82,814 mi
75th Percentile
98,147 mi
95th Percentile
123,164 mi
Max Recorded
992,437 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Fiat Punto 55 SX

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

Best year
1997

61.0% MOT pass rate from 3,744 tests

Year to avoid
1994

56.5% MOT pass rate from 2,895 tests

The best year to buy a used Fiat Punto 55 SX is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 61.0% across 3,744 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.5% — 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 SX 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 SX THIS CAR 58.9% 18,610 82,814 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
Hyundai I10 SE Connect MPI Auto 86.4% 10,034 14,946 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Fiat Punto 55 SX?

The Fiat Punto 55 SX has an overall MOT pass rate of 58.9% across 18,610 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Fiat Punto 55 SX are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,680 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,459), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (1,271). 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 SX owner drives around 5,609 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 SX 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 SX — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fiat Punto 55 SX reliable?
Based on 18,610 MOT tests, the Fiat Punto 55 SX has a 58.9% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Fiat Punto 55 SX?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Fiat Punto 55 SX do per year?
The typical Fiat Punto 55 SX does around 5,609 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Fiat Punto 55 SX last?
Most Fiat Punto 55 SX models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 3,930 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Fiat Punto 55 SX?
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 SX?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Fiat Punto 55 SX is 1997 with a 61.0% pass rate across 3,744 tests.