Used car guide

2003 Fiat Punto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Fiat Puntos, from 879 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

879MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
3,200typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Fiat Puntos than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Coil springs2.8× usual
    Fiat Punto
    29.9% All 2003 cars
    10.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.1% of all 2003 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.

  • Rust in key structural areas7.8× usual
    Fiat Punto
    10.9% All 2003 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 0.9% of all 2003 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
    Fiat Punto
    15.7% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3.4× usual
    Fiat Punto
    6.1% All 2003 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 5.5% here, against 18.3% of all 2003 cars. Ball joint dust cover: 2.4% here, against 4.8% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Fiat Punto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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
    26% 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
    22% 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.

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%
2002569Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Fiat Puntos registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score