At a Glance
The Fiat Punto has 46 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the Mk2 (1999-2006) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 4.9M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Fiat Punto common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Fiat Punto generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Fiat Punto Generations
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Most Common Fiat Punto MOT Failures
Every reason Fiat Punto vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 11.65% |
| 2 | Exhaust system fault | 8.05% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 5.26% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.98% |
| 5 | Front lamp not working | 4.47% |
| 6 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.43% |
| 7 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.19% |
| 8 | Stop lamp not working | 4.09% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.81% |
| 10 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.29% |
| 11 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.22% |
| 12 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.95% |
| 13 | Driveshaft fault | 2.85% |
| 14 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.73% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.67% |
| 16 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.18% |
| 17 | Track rod end worn | 2.17% |
| 18 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.88% |
| 19 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.80% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.69% |
| 21 | Position lamp not working | 1.59% |
| 22 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.57% |
| 23 | Rear lamp not working | 1.22% |
| 24 | Parking brake condition | 1.20% |
| 25 | Chassis condition | 1.11% |
| 26 | Fog lamp not working | 1.09% |
| 27 | Headlamp fault | 1.05% |
| 28 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.05% |
| 29 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.77% |
| 30 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.71% |
| 31 | Indicator fault | 0.71% |
| 32 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.61% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.59% |
| 34 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.54% |
| 35 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.53% |
| 36 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.53% |
| 37 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.40% |
| 38 | Horn not working | 0.37% |
| 39 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.33% |
| 40 | Steering rack fault | 0.32% |
| 41 | Rear suspension fault | 0.30% |
| 42 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.29% |
| 43 | Airbag warning light on | 0.27% |
| 44 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.27% |
| 45 | ABS fault | 0.25% |
| 46 | Brake pedal fault | 0.22% |
| 47 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.20% |
| 48 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.18% |
| 49 | Steering free play excessive | 0.17% |
| 50 | Front suspension fault | 0.16% |
| 51 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.15% |
| 52 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.15% |
| 53 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.14% |
| 54 | Brake fluid leak | 0.13% |
| 55 | Engine oil leak | 0.12% |
| 56 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 57 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.10% |
| 58 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.10% |
| 59 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.08% |
| 60 | Brake lever fault | 0.08% |
| 61 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 62 | Steering column fault | 0.07% |
| 63 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.06% |
| 64 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 65 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.06% |
| 66 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.06% |
| 67 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Steering arm worn | 0.06% |
| 69 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 72 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Electrical switch fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Body security fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 77 | Suspension unit fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.04% |
| 80 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Brake caliper fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | CV joint worn | 0.03% |
| 84 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Electric power steering fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 87 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 88 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.03% |
| 89 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 93 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 94 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 96 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 99 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 100 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.02% |
| 101 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | Steering coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 104 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.01% |
| 107 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 108 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 109 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 111 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 116 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 124 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 127 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 129 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 130 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 137 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 143 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 150 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 162 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 163 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 166 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 171 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 175 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 177 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 178 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 179 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 180 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 181 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 184 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 185 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 190 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 192 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 193 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 195 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 196 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 197 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 197 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Fiat Punto MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Fiat Punto, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Fiat Punto problems?
Based on analysis of 4.9M Fiat Punto MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 46 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Wiper blades deteriorated". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Fiat Punto generation has the most problems?
The Fiat Punto Mk2 (1999-2006) (1999–2006) has the highest number of identified common problems (57). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Fiat Punto?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Fiat Punto owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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