Used car guide

2006 Fiat Punto diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Fiat Punto first registered in 2006 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 847 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

847MOTs of 2006 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
54%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
6,200typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Fiat Punto diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Fiat Punto diesel than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Coil springs2.7× usual
    Fiat Punto
    28.7% All 2006 cars
    10.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 3.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 4.6% here, against 14% of all 2006 cars.

Common 2006 Fiat Punto diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Fiat Punto diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% 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
    37% 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.

  • Brakes
    35% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2006 Fiat Punto diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Fiat Punto diesel

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

  1. Has the steering recall been done?
  2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2006 Fiat Punto diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
20055,048Suspension 52%
20046,713Suspension 55%
20033,913Suspension 50%
20022,338Suspension 47%
20011,022Suspension 41%
2000412Suspension 50%
1999238Suspension 39%
1998283Brakes 35%
1997174Suspension 39%
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 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score