Fiat Punto common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Fiat Punto at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 70,666 UK MOT tests of the Fiat Punto in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is track rod end (ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt): recorded on 4.1% of tests of 2014–2016 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 20× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: position lamp (not working) (19×); shock absorbers (a slightly worn bush) (13×); coil spring (corroded) (16×). The most common reasons a Fiat Punto fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); coil spring (fractured or broken); stop lamp (not working).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Fiat Punto
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Fiat Punto than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.1% | 0.2% | 20× | 2,029 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 7.5% | 0.4% | 19× | 359 |
| Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush | Advisory | 2003–2005 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 7.9% | 0.6% | 13× | 1,418 |
| Coil spring: corroded | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 7.8% | 0.5% | 16× | 320 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 8.9% | 0.6% | 15× | 406 |
| Stop lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 7% | 0.5% | 14× | 359 |
| Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | MOT fail | 2001–2003 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 16% | 1.2% | 14× | 329 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 5.9% | 0.5% | 12× | 696 |
Fiat Punto by mileage (2006–2008 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 1,030 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (17%) | Coil spring: corroded (15%, 3.9×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3,041 | Coil spring: corroded (19%) | Coil spring: corroded (19%, 3.4×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5,727 | Coil spring: corroded (21%) | Coil spring: corroded (21%, 3.1×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 7,041 | Coil spring: corroded (23%) | Coil spring: corroded (23%, 3×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 5,039 | Coil spring: corroded (23%) | Coil spring: corroded (23%, 2.9×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 2,253 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Coil spring: corroded (22%, 2.9×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 843 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (24%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (15%, 3.2×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 391 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (26%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (15%, 3.7×) |
Fiat Punto by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 470 | Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (7.2×) |
| 2002 | 1,039 | Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (14×) |
| 2003 | 1,749 | Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (11×) |
| 2004 | 2,951 | Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (14×) |
| 2005 | 2,171 | Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (12×) |
| 2006 | 7,944 | Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (4.4×) |
| 2007 | 10,836 | Coil spring: corroded at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.9×) |
| 2008 | 6,704 | Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (11×) |
| 2009 | 2,165 | Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (15×) |
| 2010 | 7,020 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (4.1×) |
| 2011 | 6,423 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (5.2×) |
| 2012 | 6,442 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (6.3×) |
| 2013 | 4,608 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (6.9×) |
| 2014 | 3,746 | Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (14×) |
| 2015 | 2,498 | Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (20×) |
| 2016 | 1,718 | Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (15×) |
| 2017 | 1,266 | Coil spring: corroded at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (16×) |
| 2018 | 318 | Position lamp: not working at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (19×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Fiat Punto?
In 70,666 UK MOT tests of the Fiat Punto in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is track rod end (ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt): recorded on 4.1% of tests of 2014–2016 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 20× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: position lamp (not working) (19×); shock absorbers (a slightly worn bush) (13×); coil spring (corroded) (16×). The most common reasons a Fiat Punto fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); coil spring (fractured or broken); stop lamp (not working).
Why do Fiat Puntos fail the MOT?
Across 70,666 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Fiat Punto were position lamp (not working) (7.5% of tests); coil spring (fractured or broken) (6.8% of tests); stop lamp (not working) (7% of tests).
At what mileage do Fiat Punto problems start?
The clearest Fiat Punto-specific issue, track rod end (ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2014–2016 cars (4.1% of tests vs 0.2% for all cars that age).
Where does this Fiat Punto data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 70,666 tests of the Fiat Punto. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.