2011 Abarth Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 650 MOT tests, the 2011 Abarth Punto recorded a 79.8% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 23.0% of the time, so this is 2.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests against 8.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 70 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 21.1% versus 12.3%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 23.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.5% in 2021 to 20.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 92 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.2% | 53 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 53 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 29 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 26 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 18 |
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 | 70 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 23 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 21 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 21 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 21 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 23.8% | 155 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.3% | 145 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.5% | 127 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 73 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 65 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 51 |
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 | 81 | 12.3% |
| 60-90k | 282 | 20.2% |
| 90-120k | 225 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 151 | 24.5% |
| 2022 | 137 | 18.3% |
| 2023 | 121 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 126 | 18.3% |
| 2025 | 115 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Punto
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.2% 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.
- Brakes (8.2% 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.
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 2011 Abarth Puntos pass their MOT?
79.8% of the 650 2011 Abarth Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Abarth Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by suspension (8.2%).
Does the 2011 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.3% in the 30-60k band to 21.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 650 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.