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

Free Fiat Punto Td SX car check

Is the Fiat Punto Td SX reliable? We analysed 1,629 real MOT tests across 341 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,629 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
57.4%
Typical Mileage
103,777mi
Annual Mileage
6,181mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Fiat Punto Td SX is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is 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 SX.

Fiat Punto Td SX Number Plates

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

Fiat Punto Td SX MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

58.4%
1996
56.9%
1995
56.8%
1994

Fiat Punto Td SX Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 189
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 188
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 155
constant velocity joint gaiter split 132
Brake pipe excessively corroded 118
parking brake recording little or no effort 100
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized 96
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 96
Brake hose excessively deteriorated 88
position lamp(s) not working 88

Fiat Punto Td SX Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,876 mi/yr
Typical
6,181 mi/yr
Average
7,492 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,042 mi/yr

Fiat Punto Td SX MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 517 58.4% 78,299 95,620 113,376
1995 706 56.9% 88,011 103,776 121,069
1994 375 56.8% 91,975 114,220 128,962

How Long Does a Fiat Punto Td SX Last?

Based on 341 Fiat Punto Td SX vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.2 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Fiat Punto Td SX Mileage Distribution

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

Median
103,777 mi
75th Percentile
121,756 mi
95th Percentile
157,634 mi
Max Recorded
522,204 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Fiat Punto Td SX

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

Best year
1996

58.4% MOT pass rate from 517 tests

Year to avoid
1994

56.8% MOT pass rate from 375 tests

The best year to buy a used Fiat Punto Td SX is 1996, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 58.4% across 517 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.8% — 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 SX 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 SX THIS CAR 57.4% 1,629 103,777 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
Mercedes-benz Gla 180 AMG Line Executive A 90.3% 729 25,015 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Fiat Punto Td SX?

The Fiat Punto Td SX has an overall MOT pass rate of 57.4% across 1,629 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Fiat Punto Td SX are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (189 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (188), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (155). 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 SX owner drives around 6,181 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 SX 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 SX — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fiat Punto Td SX reliable?
Based on 1,629 MOT tests, the Fiat Punto Td SX has a 57.4% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Fiat Punto Td SX?
The most common MOT failures are parking brake: efficiency below requirements, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is 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 SX do per year?
The typical Fiat Punto Td SX does around 6,181 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Fiat Punto Td SX last?
Most Fiat Punto Td SX models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 341 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Fiat Punto Td SX?
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 SX?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Fiat Punto Td SX is 1996 with a 58.4% pass rate across 517 tests.