Used car guide · 2007–2011

Fiat Grande Punto common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Fiat Grande Punto, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 19,403 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

19,403MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
3known faults across all years
2009best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20112010200920082007

What usually goes wrong with a Fiat Grande Punto?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Steering failure recall

    Cars registered 2007–2011 · Some cars

    There have been several recalls, the most serious for possible steering failure.

    At the viewing: Ask a Fiat dealer to confirm every recall was done.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Grande Punto (2006-2011) reliability

  • Doors that drop or won't open

    Cars registered 2007–2011 · All engines

    Doors can drop, not stay shut, or have opening mechanisms that fail and lock people in or out.

    At the viewing: Open and shut every door from inside and out.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Grande Punto (2006-2011) reliability

  • Loose trim and temperamental electrics

    Cars registered 2007–2011 · All engines

    The glovebox, door cards and headlining can squeak or fall off, and the electrics can be temperamental.

    At the viewing: Look over the interior and test the electrics.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Grande Punto (2006-2011) reliability

Common Fiat Grande Punto MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 6.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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 system

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Sidelights

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008 and 2010.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Headlights

    up to 1.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Fiat Grande Punto MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Fiat Grande Punto did best (55% passed first time, 4 points below all 2009 cars) and the 2010 did worst (54%, 6 points below all 2010 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201156%62% -6239 (small sample)
201054%60% -63,742
200955%59% -412,248
200852%57% -52,931
200751%57% -6243 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Fiat Grande Punto

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the steering recall been done?
  2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 6.2× as often on the Fiat Grande Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Fiat Grande Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Fiat Grande Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Fiat Grande Punto?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score