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Fiat Punto Td S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Fiat Punto Td S car check

Is the Fiat Punto Td S reliable? We analysed 535 real MOT tests across 103 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 535 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
56.3%
Typical Mileage
102,890mi
Annual Mileage
5,900mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

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

Fiat Punto Td S Number Plates

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

Fiat Punto Td S MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

55.1%
1996
56.2%
1995
56.7%
1994

Fiat Punto Td S Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 67
Brake pipe excessively corroded 59
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 55
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 53
constant velocity joint gaiter split 39
parking brake recording little or no effort 30
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 29
brake recording little or no effort 28
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 28
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 26

Fiat Punto Td S Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,834 mi/yr
Typical
5,900 mi/yr
Average
7,025 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,697 mi/yr

Fiat Punto Td S MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 98 55.1% 60,946 89,048 115,029
1995 338 56.2% 88,056 105,569 123,155
1994 97 56.7% 79,626 104,198 135,612

How Long Does a Fiat Punto Td S Last?

Based on 103 Fiat Punto Td S vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.5 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Fiat Punto Td S Mileage Distribution

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

Median
102,890 mi
75th Percentile
123,085 mi
95th Percentile
149,487 mi
Max Recorded
222,045 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Fiat Punto Td S

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

Best year
1994

56.7% MOT pass rate from 97 tests

Year to avoid
1996

55.1% MOT pass rate from 98 tests

The best year to buy a used Fiat Punto Td S is 1994, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 56.7% across 97 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 55.1% — 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 Td S Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Fiat Punto Td S THIS CAR 56.3% 535 102,890 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
Kia Ceed Gt-line Isg CRDI 93.9% 491 58,666 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Fiat Punto Td S?

The Fiat Punto Td S has an overall MOT pass rate of 56.3% across 535 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Fiat Punto Td S are seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (67 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (59), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (55). 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 Td S owner drives around 5,900 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 Td S 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 Td S — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fiat Punto Td S reliable?
Based on 535 MOT tests, the Fiat Punto Td S has a 56.3% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Fiat Punto Td S?
The most common MOT failures are seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake pipe excessively corroded, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Fiat Punto Td S do per year?
The typical Fiat Punto Td S does around 5,900 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Fiat Punto Td S last?
Most Fiat Punto Td S models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 103 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Fiat Punto Td S?
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 Td S?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Fiat Punto Td S is 1994 with a 56.7% pass rate across 97 tests.