2008 Fiat Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 46,688 MOT tests, the 2008 Fiat Punto recorded a 70.9% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (26.8% fail rate), the 2008 Punto comes out 2.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests against 13.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, position lamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 3,700 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.1% in the 0-30k band and 34.4% in the 150k+ band, a 12.3-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 28.7% of the time against 29.1% for petrol.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.7% 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 | 18.1% | 8,463 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 6,470 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 3,953 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.4% | 3,931 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 3,395 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.2% | 2,871 |
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 | 3,700 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 3,666 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 3,088 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 2,692 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 2,297 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 2,105 |
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 | 35.7% | 16,651 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.4% | 14,658 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.5% | 10,024 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 8,318 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.8% | 8,311 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.5% | 6,775 |
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 | 1,363 | 22.1% |
| 30-60k | 6,503 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 17,159 | 28.4% |
| 90-120k | 14,809 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 4,737 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,254 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 43,150 | 29.1% |
| Diesel | 3,538 | 28.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,972 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 11,091 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 9,284 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 7,575 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 5,766 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Punto
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% 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 (8.5% 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 2008 Fiat Puntos pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 46,688 2008 Fiat Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Fiat Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.9%).
Does the 2008 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 46,688 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.