Abarth Punto MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 7 model years and 2,910 tests, the Abarth Punto passes its MOT 79.2% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail 22.6% of the time, so this is 1.8pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.4% of tests against 8.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 252 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.5% versus 15.9%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 23.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Punto model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 172 | 73.8% | 26.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 422 | 78.4% | 21.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 433 | 77.6% | 22.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2011 | 650 | 79.8% | 20.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2012 | 492 | 80.1% | 19.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2013 | 428 | 81.1% | 18.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2014 | 313 | 80.2% | 19.8% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 390 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.1% | 235 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.9% | 231 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.2% | 121 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 120 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 80 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 58 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.4% | 40 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 252 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 120 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 113 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 108 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 99 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 75 |
| 7 | Tread depth | 65 |
| 8 | Parking brake performance | 63 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 23.5% | 683 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.7% | 602 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.5% | 596 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 287 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 260 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 135 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 138 | 15.9% |
| 30-60k | 623 | 18.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,150 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 767 | 22.8% |
| 120-150k | 198 | 22.7% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 643 | 23.0% |
| 2022 | 623 | 19.7% |
| 2023 | 568 | 19.9% |
| 2024 | 538 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 538 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a Abarth Punto
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (7.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Abarth Punto?
79.2% of the 2,910 Abarth Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 20.8% fail rate, across model years 2008–2014.
What does the Abarth Punto most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.4% of tests, then brakes (8.1%).
How much does mileage affect Punto MOT results?
Fail rates run at 15.9% for cars in the 0-30k band and 23.5% for 150k+, a 7.6-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,910 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.