Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V car check
Is the Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V reliable? We analysed 877 real MOT tests across 173 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V 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 shock absorber has a serious fluid leak. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V.
Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 64 | 59.4% | 66,170 | 77,441 | 97,354 |
| 1998 | 423 | 59.3% | 60,760 | 75,672 | 91,521 |
| 1997 | 372 | 60.5% | 65,812 | 84,582 | 97,961 |
How Long Does a Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V Last?
Based on 173 Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V 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 Elx 85 16V
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
60.5% MOT pass rate from 372 tests
59.3% MOT pass rate from 423 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 60.5% across 372 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.3% — 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 85 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 85 16V THIS CAR | 59.9% | 877 | 78,372 mi | 29 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 |
| Lexmoto Diablo 50 Lj 50 QT-9M | 80.5% | 555 | 5,969 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V 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 Elx 85 16VShould you buy a used Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V?
The Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V has an overall MOT pass rate of 59.9% across 877 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Fiat Punto Elx 85 16V are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (88 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (69), and shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (67). 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 85 16V owner drives around 6,290 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 85 16V models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.