2009 Abarth Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 422 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Abarth Punto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 78.4% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.5% in the 120-150k group versus 23.8% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 59 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 48 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.5% | 36 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.7% | 20 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 17 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 12 |
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 | 37 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 31 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 20 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 16 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 16 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 12 |
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 | 24.6% | 104 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.0% | 97 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.8% | 92 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 42 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 40 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.5% | 15 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 63 | 23.8% |
| 60-90k | 136 | 16.9% |
| 90-120k | 146 | 21.2% |
| 120-150k | 48 | 37.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96 | 20.8% |
| 2022 | 92 | 21.7% |
| 2023 | 77 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 83 | 21.7% |
| 2025 | 74 | 25.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Punto
Before buying a 2009 Abarth Punto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.4% 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 (8.5% 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
How many 2009 Abarth Puntos pass their MOT?
78.4% of the 422 2009 Abarth Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Abarth Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by brakes (11.4%).
Does the 2009 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.8% in the 30-60k band to 37.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 422 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.