2008 Fiat Grand Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,289 MOT tests, the 2008 Fiat Grand Punto recorded a 71.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 26.1% of the time, so this is 2.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.4% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — position lamp alone was recorded 500 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 36.8% versus 26.8%.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 1.7pp more often than diesel ones (29.2% vs 27.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 1,157 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 804 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 534 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 472 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 456 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.8% | 367 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 500 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 489 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 401 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 310 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 294 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 256 |
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 | 33.8% | 2,125 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.0% | 2,013 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.7% | 1,429 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 1,179 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.8% | 991 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.1% | 952 |
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 | 276 | 26.8% |
| 30-60k | 808 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,199 | 28.6% |
| 90-120k | 2,008 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 603 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 155 | 36.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,510 | 29.2% |
| Diesel | 779 | 27.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,753 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 1,476 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 1,246 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 1,021 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 793 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Grand Punto
On a 2008 Grand Punto, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.8% 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.
- Brakes (8.5% 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 2008 Fiat Grand Puntos pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 6,289 2008 Fiat Grand Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Fiat Grand Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (12.8%).
Does the 2008 Grand Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.8% in the 0-30k band to 36.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,289 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.