Used car guide

2017 Fiat Punto: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Fiat Punto first registered in 2017: we looked at the 3,709 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,709MOTs of 2017 cars, done in 2023–2025
70%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%)
5,400typical miles a year
10×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Fiat Punto?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Fiat Punto than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Track rod ends10× usual
    Fiat Punto
    14% All 2017 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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.

  • Sidelights7.5× usual
    Fiat Punto
    6% All 2017 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Exhaust system5.1× usual
    Fiat Punto
    6.1% All 2017 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.3% of all 2017 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.

  • Brake lights5.1× usual
    Fiat Punto
    5.6% All 2017 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.9% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Coil springs3× usual
    Fiat Punto
    6.4% All 2017 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.5% of all 2017 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.

Common 2017 Fiat Punto MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Fiat Punto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    21% 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
    20% 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
    8% 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
    6% 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 on the 2017 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 2017 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 10× as often on the 2017 Fiat Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 7.5× as often on the 2017 Fiat Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 2017 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
2018937Tyres 27%
20165,041Tyres 31%
20157,359Tyres 33%
201410,901Suspension 40%
201313,056Suspension 42%
201218,119Suspension 41%
201117,315Suspension 45%
201018,670Suspension 51%
20095,707Suspension 50%
200816,962Suspension 50%
200727,019Suspension 52%
200618,489Suspension 54%
20055,048Suspension 52%
20046,713Suspension 55%
20033,913Suspension 50%
20022,338Suspension 47%
20011,022Suspension 41%
2000412Suspension 50%
1999238Suspension 39%
1998283Brakes 35%
1997174Suspension 39%
1996140Brakes 38%
1995141Brakes 39%
1994–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Fiat Punto cars first registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score