2011 Fiat Punto diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Fiat Punto diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Fiat Punto diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Coil springs2.2× usual
  Fiat Punto

  19.8% All 2011 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 4% of all 2011 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.

• Shock absorbers2× usual
  Fiat Punto

  13.6% All 2011 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.8% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Individual direction indicators3× usual
  Fiat Punto

  8.9% All 2011 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Headlight aim2.2× usual
  Fiat Punto

  9.1% All 2011 cars

  4.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 4.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
  Fiat Punto

  8.3% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Common 2011 Fiat Punto diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Fiat Punto diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% 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
  38% 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
  30% 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
  13% 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
  10% 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 2011 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.

• Steering failure recall

  Some cars

  There have been several recalls, the most serious for possible steering failure.

  At the viewing: Ask a Fiat dealer to confirm every recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Fiat Grande Punto (2006-2011) reliability

• Doors that drop or won't open

  All engines

  Doors can drop, not stay shut, or have opening mechanisms that fail and lock people in or out.

  At the viewing: Open and shut every door from inside and out.

  Source: What Car?: used Fiat Grande Punto (2006-2011) reliability

• Loose trim and temperamental electrics

  All engines

  The glovebox, door cards and headlining can squeak or fall off, and the electrics can be temperamental.

  At the viewing: Look over the interior and test the electrics.

  Source: What Car?: used Fiat Grande Punto (2006-2011) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 2.2× as often on the 2011 Fiat Punto diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2011 Fiat Punto diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2011 Fiat Punto diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?