Used car guide

2001 Fiat Punto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Fiat Puntos, from 238 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 238 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

238MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
2,400typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Fiat Puntos than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Coil springs2.1× usual
    Fiat Punto
    20.6% All 2001 cars
    9.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 1.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 2001 Fiat Punto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    26% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    26% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    21% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018309Tyres 33%
20171,236Suspension 31%
20161,680Suspension 36%
20152,444Suspension 39%
20143,562Suspension 46%
20134,164Suspension 48%
20125,655Suspension 47%
20115,131Suspension 50%
20105,349Suspension 55%
20091,546Suspension 52%
20084,418Suspension 52%
20076,758Suspension 56%
20064,366Suspension 57%
20051,233Suspension 52%
20041,550Suspension 56%
2003879Suspension 51%
2002569Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Fiat Puntos registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score