Fiat Punto SX 85 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat Punto SX 85 car check
Is the Fiat Punto SX 85 reliable? We analysed 2,790 real MOT tests across 527 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat Punto SX 85? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat Punto SX 85 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, shock absorber has a serious fluid leak and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Punto SX 85.
Fiat Punto SX 85 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat Punto SX 85. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat Punto SX 85 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat Punto SX 85 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat Punto SX 85 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat Punto SX 85 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat Punto SX 85 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat Punto SX 85 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat Punto SX 85 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Punto SX 85 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1,128 | 62.2% | 53,298 | 69,824 | 83,996 |
| 1998 | 1,656 | 61.5% | 57,777 | 72,853 | 88,132 |
How Long Does a Fiat Punto SX 85 Last?
Based on 527 Fiat Punto SX 85 vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat Punto SX 85 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Punto SX 85 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 SX 85
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
62.2% MOT pass rate from 1,128 tests
61.5% MOT pass rate from 1,656 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat Punto SX 85 is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 62.2% across 1,128 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.5% — 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 SX 85 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat Punto SX 85 THIS CAR | 61.8% | 2,790 | 71,447 mi | 28 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 |
| Renault Scenic Dynamique Tomtom DCI | 83.5% | 1,097 | 78,908 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Punto SX 85 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat Punto SX 85 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 SX 85Should you buy a used Fiat Punto SX 85?
The Fiat Punto SX 85 has an overall MOT pass rate of 61.8% across 2,790 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Fiat Punto SX 85 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (220 recorded failures), shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (210), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (156). 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 SX 85 owner drives around 6,300 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 SX 85 models stay on UK roads for around 28 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.