2009 Fiat Grande Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Fiat Grande Punto passed 72.4% of its 31,593 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (25.2% fail rate), the 2009 Grande Punto comes out 2.4pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.7% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, position lamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 2,692 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 29.5% versus 21.8%.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 26.5% of the time against 27.6% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 5,279 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 4,163 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 2,710 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 1,962 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.1% | 1,918 |
| 6 | Brakes | 6.0% | 1,907 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 2,692 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,159 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 2,063 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,588 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 1,538 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 1,337 |
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 | 38.0% | 12,003 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.0% | 9,791 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.9% | 6,284 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 5,431 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.1% | 5,413 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.0% | 4,426 |
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 | 1,519 | 21.8% |
| 30-60k | 5,720 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 11,969 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 8,559 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 2,681 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 515 | 29.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 30,425 | 27.6% |
| Diesel | 1,168 | 26.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,163 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 7,238 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 6,489 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 5,411 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 4,292 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Grande Punto
On a 2009 Grande Punto, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2009 Fiat Grande Puntos pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 31,593 2009 Fiat Grande Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Fiat Grande Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2009 Grande Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.8% in the 0-30k band to 29.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,593 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.