2004 Fiat Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Fiat Punto passed 68.1% of its 21,948 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (29.1% fail rate), the 2004 Punto comes out 2.8pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.6% of tests against 14.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,718 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.1% in the 0-30k band and 40.7% in the 150k+ band, a 19.5-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 31.9% of the time against 32.9% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 44.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 4,290 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 3,110 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 2,424 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.4% | 2,067 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.4% | 1,853 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 1,809 |
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 | 2,718 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,014 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2,004 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 1,438 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 1,380 |
| 6 | Wipers | 1,350 |
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 | 44.4% | 9,741 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.6% | 6,283 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.5% | 5,591 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.5% | 4,937 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.3% | 4,445 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 3,808 |
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 | 535 | 21.1% |
| 30-60k | 5,112 | 26.5% |
| 60-90k | 8,794 | 32.4% |
| 90-120k | 5,449 | 35.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,615 | 36.5% |
| 150k+ | 396 | 40.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 21,254 | 31.9% |
| Diesel | 694 | 32.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,726 | 32.8% |
| 2022 | 5,388 | 31.9% |
| 2023 | 3,913 | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 2,893 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 2,028 | 31.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Punto
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.0% 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+.
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 2004 Fiat Puntos pass their MOT?
68.1% of the 21,948 2004 Fiat Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Fiat Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2004 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.1% in the 0-30k band to 40.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,948 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.