2013 Abarth Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
428 MOT tests on the 2013 Abarth Punto are in this dataset, and 81.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (20.0% fail rate), the 2013 Punto comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.5% of tests against 7.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 17.6% once past 90-120k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 49 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.2% | 31 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.8% | 25 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 21 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 12 |
| 6 | Tyres | 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 | 25 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 20 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 19 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 15 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 13 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 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 | Tyres | 24.3% | 104 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.1% | 99 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.6% | 71 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 33 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 18 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 17 |
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 | 36 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 137 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 177 | 19.2% |
| 90-120k | 68 | 17.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93 | 21.5% |
| 2022 | 89 | 18.0% |
| 2023 | 78 | 12.8% |
| 2024 | 75 | 14.7% |
| 2025 | 93 | 25.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Punto
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.2% 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.
- Suspension (5.8% 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 2013 Abarth Puntos pass their MOT?
81.1% of the 428 2013 Abarth Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Abarth Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.5% of tests, followed by brakes (7.2%).
Does the 2013 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 17.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 428 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.