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Fiat Punto years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

46,159 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2004–2017 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Fiat Punto years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2004 and 2006–2017. None is clearly above it. The other year can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

55.0%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 54.6% to 55.5%.

In 2025, 55.0% of the 46,159 initial MOT tests on Fiat Punto cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 62.2%. That is 7.1 points below the same-age average.

Check a specific Punto

Its own MOT history, free.

Fiat Punto MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2017age 81,23543,30063.6%±2.8−14.6 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 91,68150,50064.7%±2.4−10.2 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 102,44460,00063.0%±2.0−8.9 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 113,55168,80057.1%±1.7−11.5 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 124,14773,90055.5%±1.6−10.3 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 135,42378,20056.6%±1.4−6.9 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 143,79485,90055.6%±1.6−5.6 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 154,13588,80054.1%±1.6−5.2 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 161,52384,70055.4%±2.6−2.9 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 174,38791,20052.6%±1.5−4.6 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 186,73089,20050.6%±1.2−6.8 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 194,34787,00051.2%±1.5−5.8 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 201,22074,20055.2%±2.9−2.4 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 211,54275,00051.0%±2.5−6.8 ptsall: 57.8%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Common Punto problems at the MOT

Share of the 20,760 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Punto

Based on the areas where Fiat Punto MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 52.5% of failed Punto tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Suspension

    In 33.9% of failed Punto tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  3. Noise, emissions, leaks

    In 22.3% of failed Punto tests

    • Ask to see the car start from cold. Heavy smoke from the exhaust is worth asking about.
    • Listen for blowing or rattling from the exhaust with the engine running.
    • Look under the car for drips of oil, coolant or other fluids.

  4. Brakes

    In 20.3% of failed Punto tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Punto's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Fiat Punto cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Fiat Punto cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.1% failed on tyres, against 4.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 5,387 and 14,993 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory8.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 22.2% of those with a tyre advisory and 19.4% of the others.

Brakes

Of Fiat Punto cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 11.0% failed on brakes, against 6.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 3,442 and 16,874 cars.

  • With a brake advisory11.0%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted6.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 23.6% of those with a brake advisory and 19.4% of the others.

Suspension

Of Fiat Punto cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 17.1% failed on suspension, against 12.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 5,641 and 14,401 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory17.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted12.0%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 25.8% of those with a suspension advisory and 17.7% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this out

Fiat Punto questions

Which Fiat Punto years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2004 and 2006–2017. None is clearly above average. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Fiat Punto reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 55.0% of initial MOT tests on Fiat Punto cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 62.2%. That is 7.1 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Fiat Punto problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 52.5% of failed tests), suspension (in 33.9% of failed tests) and noise, emissions, leaks (in 22.3% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Fiat Punto?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Fiat Punto cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 60,000 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Punto's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Fiat Punto

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Fiat models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 13 Fiat modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Fiat Punto cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count