2010 Fiat Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
45,222 MOT tests on the 2010 Fiat Punto are in this dataset, and 73.5% of them passed. That is 1.5 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 25.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.5% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and individual direction indicators — headlamp aim alone was recorded 3,428 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.1% versus 17.3%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 26.4% of the time against 27.3% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 7,936 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.9% | 5,406 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 3,411 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.7% | 2,562 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.5% | 2,475 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 2,424 |
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 | 3,428 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,566 |
| 3 | Individual direction indicators | 2,419 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 2,287 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 2,063 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 1,666 |
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 | 37.1% | 16,760 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.8% | 13,477 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.4% | 8,311 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.6% | 7,514 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 6,807 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 5,576 |
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 | 881 | 17.3% |
| 30-60k | 7,885 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 18,717 | 26.2% |
| 90-120k | 13,297 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 3,603 | 30.4% |
| 150k+ | 691 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 43,876 | 26.4% |
| Diesel | 1,346 | 27.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,557 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 10,040 | 25.8% |
| 2023 | 9,273 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 8,307 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 7,045 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Punto
On a 2010 Punto, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.9% 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 (7.5% 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 2010 Fiat Puntos pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 45,222 2010 Fiat Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Fiat Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by suspension (11.9%).
Does the 2010 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.3% in the 0-30k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 45,222 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.