2007 Fiat Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
78,121 MOT tests on the 2007 Fiat Punto are in this dataset, and 70.0% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 2.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.6% of all tests — 4.7 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 6,264 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 26.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.2% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.0% of the time against 30.0% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 14,520 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 10,854 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 6,801 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 6,728 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.3% | 6,446 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 4,738 |
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 | 6,264 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 5,880 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 5,159 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 5,043 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 3,836 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 3,763 |
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 | 37.5% | 29,281 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.7% | 24,782 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.9% | 17,918 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.6% | 16,103 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 15,349 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 12,991 |
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 | 2,458 | 26.7% |
| 30-60k | 10,901 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 28,281 | 29.2% |
| 90-120k | 24,701 | 32.2% |
| 120-150k | 7,814 | 33.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,848 | 32.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 74,664 | 30.0% |
| Diesel | 3,457 | 30.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,952 | 29.9% |
| 2022 | 18,861 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 15,319 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 11,998 | 30.3% |
| 2025 | 8,991 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Punto
On a 2007 Punto, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.9% 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 (8.7% 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 2007 Fiat Puntos pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 78,121 2007 Fiat Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Fiat Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.9%).
Does the 2007 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 78,121 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.