FIAT PUNTO Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 4,024 MOT tests from 245 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every FIAT PUNTO has the same fault.

FIAT PUNTO's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 523/999. The score was calculated from the average of every FIAT PUNTO that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the FIAT PUNTO.

FIAT PUNTO (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2018	758/999Very good	118,659 miles	788 vehicles
Petrol	2015	702/999Very good	100,428 miles	1,367 vehicles
Petrol	2014	498/999Average	88,575 miles	4,125 vehicles
Petrol	2011	476/999Average	91,210 miles	3,926 vehicles
Petrol	2008	415/999Average	79,824 miles	4,700 vehicles
Diesel	2007	404/999Average	86,654 miles	741 vehicles
Petrol	2007	405/999Average	84,879 miles	9,651 vehicles
Diesel	2004	434/999Average	86,824 miles	605 vehicles
Petrol	2004	451/999Average	88,925 miles	22,669 vehicles
Diesel	2001	461/999Average	82,846 miles	781 vehicles
Petrol	2000	493/999Average	78,012 miles	23,134 vehicles
Petrol	1998	565/999Above average	79,418 miles	2,896 vehicles
Petrol	1997	623/999Good	85,213 miles	1,518 vehicles
Petrol	1994	631/999Good	89,612 miles	743 vehicles

How reliable is the FIAT PUNTO?

Based on 4,024 MOT tests from 245 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

245

MOT tests

4,024

Pass rate

73.3%

Median mileage

77,702 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every FIAT PUNTO has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 567 out of 999.

Common FIAT PUNTO MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 768 advisory comments and 61 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 282 advisory comments and 155 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 148 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 130 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 119 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 74 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: FRONT SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 70 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 61 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

FIAT PUNTO MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2017	5	49	77.6%	Tyre wear, Track rod wear
2016	13	132	77.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	16	178	79.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2014	22	287	71.1%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2013	36	523	70.7%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2012	35	540	72.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2008	16	326	74.8%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2007	27	628	71.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2006	19	394	73.6%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2004	6	134	83.6%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2003	5	116	81%	Coil spring issues, Tyre wear
2002	8	180	73.3%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues

What to check when buying a used FIAT PUNTO

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Buying a FIAT PUNTO?

Common problems tell you what can affect FIAT PUNTOs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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