Used car guide · 1994–2018

Fiat Punto common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Fiat Punto, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 183,706 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1994 Fiat Punto

Too few Fiat Punto cars first registered in 1994 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Fiat Punto as a whole.

173on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 1994 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994

What usually goes wrong with a Fiat Punto?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Cooling system and head gasket failures

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    Cooling problems and head gasket failures are reported, sometimes needing a new engine on cars only three years old.

    At the viewing: Check the coolant level, watch the temperature gauge, and look for white smoke.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Punto (2012-2018) reliability

  • Steering failure recall

    Cars registered 2006–2011 · 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

  • Clunking suspension

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    Clunking from the suspension can be costly to fix.

    At the viewing: Drive over bumps and listen.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Punto (2012-2018) reliability

  • Electrical, starting and battery faults

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    ECU and electrical faults affect starting and the air con, and batteries don't last long.

    At the viewing: Start it several times and check the air con.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Punto (2012-2018) reliability

  • Doors that drop or won't open

    Cars registered 2006–2011 · 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

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    Interior trim and seat coverings come loose and wear.

    At the viewing: Look over the interior.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Punto (2012-2018) reliability

  • Loose trim and temperamental electrics

    Cars registered 2006–2011 · 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

Common Fiat Punto MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Exhaust system

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 6.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 4.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Diesel

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2011.

    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.

Fiat Punto MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Fiat Punto did best (56% passed first time, 3 points below all 2009 cars) and the 2018 did worst (68%, 15 points below all 2018 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201868%83% -15937
201770%80% -103,709
201668%77% -95,041
201565%74% -97,359
201458%70% -1210,901
201356%67% -1113,056
201257%64% -718,119
201156%62% -617,315
201055%60% -518,670
200956%59% -35,707
200852%57% -516,962
200751%57% -627,019
200652%56% -418,489
200554%57% -35,048
200451%57% -66,713
200353%57% -43,913
200253%58% -52,338
200159%60% -11,022
200053%61% -8412 (small sample)
199957%63% -6238 (small sample)
199866%65% +1283 (small sample)
199764%65% -1174 (small sample)
199665%66% -1140 (small sample)
199561%67% -6141 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Fiat Punto

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

  1. Has it had any cooling or head gasket work?
  2. Has the steering recall been done?
  3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 10× as often on the Fiat Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the Fiat Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the Fiat Punto as on other cars the same age.)
  6. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score