2012 Abarth Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 492 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Abarth Punto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 80.1% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (79.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.7% in the 90-120k group versus 17.2% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 75 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 43 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 41 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.5% | 22 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 17 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 15 |
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 | 38 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 24 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 24 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 20 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 16 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 14 |
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 | 25.0% | 123 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.3% | 85 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.3% | 80 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 54 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 46 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 23 |
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 | 157 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 195 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 90 | 26.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96 | 17.7% |
| 2022 | 101 | 17.8% |
| 2023 | 109 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 95 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 91 | 22.0% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Punto
Before buying a 2012 Abarth Punto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.7% 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 (8.3% 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 2012 Abarth Puntos pass their MOT?
80.1% of the 492 2012 Abarth Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Abarth Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by suspension (8.7%).
Does the 2012 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 30-60k band to 26.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 492 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.