2009 Fiat Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
14,521 MOT tests on the 2009 Fiat Punto are in this dataset, and 73.1% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 25.9%, so the 2009 Punto sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.8% of all tests — 4.3 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 1,117 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.9% in the 0-30k band and 30.4% in the 150k+ band, a 9.5-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 26.8% of the time against 27.4% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 2,445 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.6% | 1,823 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.1% | 1,172 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.2% | 899 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.9% | 861 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 845 |
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 | 1,117 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,002 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 973 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 708 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 668 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 591 |
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 | 36.9% | 5,360 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.7% | 4,462 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.9% | 2,882 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.1% | 2,483 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 2,454 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 1,902 |
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 | 665 | 20.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,810 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 5,371 | 27.4% |
| 90-120k | 3,843 | 29.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,232 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 273 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 13,284 | 26.8% |
| Diesel | 1,231 | 27.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,754 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 3,316 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 2,965 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 2,474 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 2,012 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Punto
On a 2009 Punto, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.6% 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 (8.1% 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 Puntos pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 14,521 2009 Fiat Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Fiat Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by suspension (12.6%).
Does the 2009 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,521 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.