Used car guide

1997 Fiat Punto: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Fiat Punto first registered in 1997: we looked at the 174 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 174 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

174MOTs of 1997 cars, done in 2023–2025
64%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 65%)
2,400typical miles a year
39%had suspension flagged

Common 1997 Fiat Punto MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Fiat Punto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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.

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    20% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Fiat Punto

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Fiat Punto?

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Other years

Every year of the Fiat Punto compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018937Tyres 27%
20173,709Tyres 31%
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%
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 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score