Used car guide · 1994–2018

Fiat Punto common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Fiat Punto, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 183,771 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

183,771MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
75,637on the UK register
7known 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).

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994

What usually goes wrong with a Fiat 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.

  • Cooling system and head gasket failures

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    Cooling problems and head gasket failures are reported, sometimes needing a new engine on cars only three years old.

    At the viewing: Check the coolant level, watch the temperature gauge, and look for white smoke.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Punto (2012-2018) reliability

  • Steering failure recall

    Cars registered 2006–2011 · 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

  • Clunking suspension

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    Clunking from the suspension can be costly to fix.

    At the viewing: Drive over bumps and listen.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Punto (2012-2018) reliability

  • Electrical, starting and battery faults

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    ECU and electrical faults affect starting and the air con, and batteries don't last long.

    At the viewing: Start it several times and check the air con.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Punto (2012-2018) reliability

  • Doors that drop or won't open

    Cars registered 2006–2011 · 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

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    Interior trim and seat coverings come loose and wear.

    At the viewing: Look over the interior.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Punto (2012-2018) reliability

  • Loose trim and temperamental electrics

    Cars registered 2006–2011 · 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 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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 10× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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 5.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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-frame

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 11.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 6.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Sidelights

    up to 9.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

Fiat Punto MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Fiat Punto did best (56% passed first time, 3 points below all 2009 cars) and the 2018 did worst (68%, 15 points below all 2018 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201868%83% -15937
201770%80% -103,709
201668%77% -95,044
201565%74% -97,363
201458%70% -1210,901
201356%67% -1113,056
201257%64% -718,119
201156%62% -617,315
201055%60% -518,670
200956%59% -35,707
200852%57% -516,962
200751%57% -627,019
200652%56% -418,489
200554%57% -35,048
200451%57% -66,713
200353%57% -43,917
200253%58% -52,359
200159%60% -11,037
200052%61% -9418 (small sample)
199957%63% -6242 (small sample)
199867%65% +2288 (small sample)
199764%65% -1174 (small sample)
199665%66% -1140 (small sample)
199562%67% -5144 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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. Has the steering recall been done?
  3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 10× as often on the Fiat Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the Fiat Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the Fiat Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  6. 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, 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