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Fiat Punto Elx 16V Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Fiat Punto Elx 16V car check

Is the Fiat Punto Elx 16V reliable? We analysed 708 real MOT tests across 148 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 708 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
67.8%
Typical Mileage
64,755mi
Annual Mileage
7,839mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Fiat Punto Elx 16V 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 windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Punto Elx 16V.

Fiat Punto Elx 16V Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Fiat Punto Elx 16V. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Fiat Punto Elx 16V MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Fiat Punto Elx 16V to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

66.7%
2002
69.3%
2001
66.2%
2000

Fiat Punto Elx 16V Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Fiat Punto Elx 16V fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 76
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 33
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 32
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 28
Headlamp aim too low 25
position lamp(s) not working 21
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 19
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 18
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 16
constant velocity joint gaiter split 12

Fiat Punto Elx 16V Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Fiat Punto Elx 16V owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
5,308 mi/yr
Typical
7,839 mi/yr
Average
9,385 mi/yr
Heavy usage
11,587 mi/yr

Fiat Punto Elx 16V MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Punto Elx 16V year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2002 51 66.7% 44,806 55,081 68,325
2001 199 69.3% 50,068 62,849 77,720
2000 393 66.2% 48,293 68,028 86,947

How Long Does a Fiat Punto Elx 16V Last?

Based on 148 Fiat Punto Elx 16V vehicles on UK roads.

Average
7.5 years
Median
7.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Fiat Punto Elx 16V Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Punto Elx 16V MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
64,755 mi
75th Percentile
81,660 mi
95th Percentile
119,524 mi
Max Recorded
438,042 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Fiat Punto Elx 16V

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

Best year
2001

69.3% MOT pass rate from 199 tests

Year to avoid
2000

66.2% MOT pass rate from 393 tests

The best year to buy a used Fiat Punto Elx 16V is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.3% across 199 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.2% — 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 Elx 16V Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Fiat Punto Elx 16V THIS CAR 67.8% 708 64,755 mi 26 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
Daf Lf 85.8% 656 204,778 mi — yrs

Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Punto Elx 16V trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Fiat Punto Elx 16V?

The Fiat Punto Elx 16V has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.8% across 708 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Fiat Punto Elx 16V are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (76 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (33), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (32). 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 Elx 16V owner drives around 7,839 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 Elx 16V models stay on UK roads for around 26 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 Elx 16V — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fiat Punto Elx 16V reliable?
Based on 708 MOT tests, the Fiat Punto Elx 16V has a 67.8% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Fiat Punto Elx 16V?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Fiat Punto Elx 16V do per year?
The typical Fiat Punto Elx 16V does around 7,839 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Fiat Punto Elx 16V last?
Most Fiat Punto Elx 16V models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 148 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Fiat Punto Elx 16V?
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 Elx 16V?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Fiat Punto Elx 16V is 2001 with a 69.3% pass rate across 199 tests.