2001 Fiat Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Fiat Punto passed 70.3% of its 3,323 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail at 29.5%, so the 2001 Punto sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.0% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — prescribed areas alone was recorded 384 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.6% in the 0-30k band and 37.2% in the 150k+ band, a 16.6-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.6% in 2021 to 21.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 465 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 346 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.0% | 333 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.9% | 296 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 8.5% | 281 |
| 6 | Brakes | 7.5% | 249 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas | 384 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 283 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 259 |
| 4 | Wipers | 194 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 181 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 178 |
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 | 36.1% | 1,200 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.6% | 916 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.2% | 772 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.5% | 748 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 21.4% | 711 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.3% | 441 |
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 | 272 | 20.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,357 | 28.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,171 | 30.7% |
| 90-120k | 386 | 36.5% |
| 120-150k | 84 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 43 | 37.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,244 | 29.5% |
| Diesel | 79 | 39.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,236 | 33.6% |
| 2022 | 799 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 605 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 404 | 25.5% |
| 2025 | 279 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Punto
On a 2001 Punto, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (10.0% 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 2001 Fiat Puntos pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 3,323 2001 Fiat Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Fiat Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (10.4%).
Does the 2001 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 0-30k band to 37.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,323 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.