Used car guide

2018 Fiat Punto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Fiat Puntos, from 309 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 309 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

309MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
5,000typical miles a year
12.2×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Fiat Puntos than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Track rod ends12.2× usual
    Fiat Punto
    20.7% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.3%, against 0.8% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Coil springs8.2× usual
    Fiat Punto
    13.9% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12%, against 1.3% of all 2018 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 2018 Fiat Punto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    33% 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
    18% 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
    16% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    7% 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
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%
2001238Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Fiat Puntos registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score