Used car guide

2002 Fiat Punto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Fiat Puntos, from 569 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

569MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
2,900typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Fiat Puntos than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Coil springs2.3× usual
    Fiat Punto
    23.7% All 2002 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 2% of all 2002 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.

  • Exhaust system2.2× usual
    Fiat Punto
    21.1% All 2002 cars
    9.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Rust in key structural areas5.2× usual
    Fiat Punto
    8.3% All 2002 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Body structure rust or damage2.3× usual
    Fiat Punto
    8.6% All 2002 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Washers2.3× usual
    Fiat Punto
    8.1% All 2002 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 3.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 8.4% here, against 17.7% of all 2002 cars. Braking performance: 3.7% here, against 7.4% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Fiat Punto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    39% 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
    37% 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
    31% 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
    28% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    24% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Fiat Punto?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20171,236Tyres 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%
20084,417Suspension 52%
20076,756Suspension 56%
20064,366Suspension 57%
20051,233Suspension 52%
20041,550Suspension 56%
2003879Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Fiat Puntos registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score