Fiat Punto: what fails at MOT
77,000 MOT tests on the Fiat Punto in 2024, counted. 44.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
44.9% of Fiat Punto tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 36.4%, so the Punto does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (16.4% of tests), suspension (10% of tests) and exhaust and emissions (6.8% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, exhaust and emissions and body and structure more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 437 | 29.3% | 15.6% | 32,000 21,600 to 47,300 |
| 2017 | 1,560 | 29.2% | 18.2% | 38,300 25,400 to 52,000 |
| 2016 | 2,177 | 32.6% | 21.3% | 45,400 31,900 to 60,900 |
| 2015 | 3,159 | 34.7% | 24.4% | 55,900 39,600 to 71,800 |
| 2014 | 4,990 | 41.2% | 27.7% | 64,100 47,800 to 80,600 |
| 2013 | 6,052 | 43.9% | 30.6% | 70,500 54,400 to 87,900 |
| 2012 | 8,112 | 41.6% | 33.4% | 75,300 58,000 to 92,800 |
| 2011 | 5,987 | 43.4% | 36.1% | 83,700 65,700 to 102,600 |
| 2010 | 6,946 | 44.6% | 38.6% | 89,200 70,300 to 107,000 |
| 2009 | 2,774 | 46.3% | 39.8% | 85,700 65,000 to 105,700 |
| 2008 | 8,056 | 48.4% | 41.5% | 91,300 71,500 to 110,400 |
| 2007 | 12,620 | 49.7% | 41.5% | 90,600 71,000 to 108,800 |
| 2006 | 8,677 | 48.8% | 42.4% | 89,500 69,100 to 109,400 |
| 2005 | 2,269 | 47.9% | 42.2% | 76,700 56,300 to 97,100 |
| 2004 | 3,217 | 50.0% | 42.3% | 77,900 57,900 to 97,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Fiat Punto tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Punto | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 16.4% | 11.4% | More than most |
| Suspension | 10.0% | 9.5% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 6.8% | 3.3% | More than most |
| Brakes | 6.6% | 6.7% | |
| Body and structure | 6.2% | 4.0% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 5.2% | 3.9% | More than most |
| Tyres | 5.0% | 4.8% | |
| Steering | 3.8% | 2.1% | More than most |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim5.1%
- Side light4.9%
- Brake light4.1%
- Exhaust emissions4.1%
- Exhaust system3.6%
- Track rod end3.4%
- Tyre3.3%
- Washers3.0%
- Headlamp3.0%
- Coil spring2.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working4.2%
- Brake light: not working3.4%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.2%
- Exhaust emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.0%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.9%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.8%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements2.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.2%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.7%
- Coil spring: corroded12.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing9.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive9.3%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases7.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.4%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened5.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.9%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Fiat Punto's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.