Used car guide

2005 Fiat Punto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Fiat Puntos, from 1,233 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,233MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
3,700typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Fiat Puntos than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Coil springs2.3× usual
    Fiat Punto
    25.2% All 2005 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 2.6% of all 2005 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× usual
    Fiat Punto
    18.7% All 2005 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 2.4% of all 2005 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.

  • Sub-frame1.8× usual
    Fiat Punto
    12% All 2005 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3.4× usual
    Fiat Punto
    5.5% All 2005 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2005 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.

  • Transmission oil leaks2.3× usual
    Fiat Punto
    3.6% All 2005 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 4.5% here, against 14.9% of all 2005 cars. Number plate lights: 2.4% here, against 8.2% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Fiat Punto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% 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
    30% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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%
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 2005 Fiat Puntos registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score