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Fiat Punto Elx 8V Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Fiat Punto Elx 8V car check

Is the Fiat Punto Elx 8V reliable? We analysed 3,041 real MOT tests across 651 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,041 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.0%
Typical Mileage
60,150mi
Annual Mileage
7,311mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Fiat Punto Elx 8V is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and parking brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Punto Elx 8V.

Fiat Punto Elx 8V Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Fiat Punto Elx 8V. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Fiat Punto Elx 8V MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Fiat Punto Elx 8V to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

68.9%
2002
69.8%
2001
67.2%
2000
66.4%
1999

Fiat Punto Elx 8V Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Fiat Punto Elx 8V fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 299
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 208
parking brake recording little or no effort 127
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 104
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 96
Headlamp aim too low 86
position lamp(s) not working 76
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 72
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 71
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 68

Fiat Punto Elx 8V Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Fiat Punto Elx 8V owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,928 mi/yr
Typical
7,311 mi/yr
Average
8,092 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,240 mi/yr

Fiat Punto Elx 8V MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Punto Elx 8V year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2002 148 68.9% 40,337 52,841 66,480
2001 894 69.8% 43,174 55,305 69,847
2000 1,854 67.2% 49,671 63,034 76,805
1999 143 66.4% 53,090 61,314 72,798

How Long Does a Fiat Punto Elx 8V Last?

Based on 651 Fiat Punto Elx 8V vehicles on UK roads.

Average
7.3 years
Median
7.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Fiat Punto Elx 8V Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Punto Elx 8V MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
60,150 mi
75th Percentile
74,974 mi
95th Percentile
99,895 mi
Max Recorded
924,497 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Fiat Punto Elx 8V

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

Best year
2001

69.8% MOT pass rate from 894 tests

Year to avoid
1999

66.4% MOT pass rate from 143 tests

The best year to buy a used Fiat Punto Elx 8V is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.8% across 894 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.4% — 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 Elx 8V 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 8V THIS CAR 68.0% 3,041 60,150 mi 27 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
Kawasaki Zx 600 Raf 86.7% 2,055 11,637 mi 16 yrs

Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Punto Elx 8V trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Fiat Punto Elx 8V?

The Fiat Punto Elx 8V has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.0% across 3,041 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Fiat Punto Elx 8V are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (299 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (208), and parking brake recording little or no effort (127). 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 8V owner drives around 7,311 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 8V models stay on UK roads for around 27 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 8V — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fiat Punto Elx 8V reliable?
Based on 3,041 MOT tests, the Fiat Punto Elx 8V has a 68.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Fiat Punto Elx 8V?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, parking brake: efficiency below requirements, and parking brake recording little or no effort. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Fiat Punto Elx 8V do per year?
The typical Fiat Punto Elx 8V does around 7,311 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Fiat Punto Elx 8V last?
Most Fiat Punto Elx 8V models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 651 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Fiat Punto Elx 8V?
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 8V?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Fiat Punto Elx 8V is 2001 with a 69.8% pass rate across 894 tests.