2014 Abarth Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2014 Abarth Punto passed 80.2% of its 313 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.6 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 18.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.9%) and suspension (7.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — coil spring alone was recorded 16 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 19.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 28 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.7% | 24 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.2% | 13 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.8% | 12 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.9% | 9 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.6% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 16 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 13 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 12 |
| 5 | Wheel bearings | 9 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 8 |
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 | 19.8% | 62 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.6% | 52 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.6% | 52 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 28 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.4% | 20 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 14 |
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 | 119 | 16.8% |
| 60-90k | 120 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67 | 22.4% |
| 2022 | 63 | 14.3% |
| 2023 | 65 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 55 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 63 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Punto
On a 2014 Punto, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.7% 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.
- Tyres (4.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2014 Abarth Puntos pass their MOT?
80.2% of the 313 2014 Abarth Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Abarth Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by suspension (7.7%).
Does the 2014 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.8% in the 30-60k band to 20.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 313 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.