Used car guide

2014 Fiat Punto: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Fiat Punto first registered in 2014: we looked at the 3,562 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,562MOTs of 2014 cars, done in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
6,200typical miles a year
4.6×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Fiat Punto?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Fiat Punto than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Track rod ends4.6× usual
    Fiat Punto
    20.6% All 2014 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.2%, against 2.3% of all 2014 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 springs2.9× usual
    Fiat Punto
    19.8% All 2014 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 3.4% of all 2014 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 system4× usual
    Fiat Punto
    14.4% All 2014 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1% of all 2014 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-frame3.8× usual
    Fiat Punto
    9.5% All 2014 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)7.8× usual
    Fiat Punto
    6.2% All 2014 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 0.8% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Better than most

Ball joint: 1.9% here, against 4.2% of all 2014 cars.

Common 2014 Fiat Punto MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Fiat Punto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    34% 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
    29% 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
    26% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

Known faults on the 2014 Fiat Punto

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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 Fiat Punto

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

  1. Has it had any cooling or head gasket work?
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2014 Fiat Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2014 Fiat Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2014 Fiat 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 Punto?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Fiat Punto compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018309Suspension 33%
20171,236Tyres 31%
20161,680Suspension 36%
20152,444Suspension 39%
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%
2000–Too few tests
1999–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Fiat Punto cars first registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score