2013 Fiat Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 29,708 MOT tests, the 2013 Fiat Punto recorded a 74.3% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 21.0% of the time, so this is 4.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests against 9.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 2,001 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.3% in the 0-30k band and 32.9% in the 150k+ band, a 13.7-point spread.
The diesel cars hold up better: 23.1% fail against 25.9% for petrol, a 2.8-point gap across 29,708 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 5,054 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.8% | 2,918 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 2,255 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.4% | 1,594 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 1,505 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 1,351 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 2,001 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,894 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,820 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 1,473 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 1,309 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 1,182 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.2% | 8,666 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.8% | 7,367 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.1% | 5,674 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 3,295 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 2,926 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 2,865 |
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 | 1,730 | 19.3% |
| 30-60k | 11,032 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 11,940 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 4,029 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 746 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 161 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 28,608 | 25.9% |
| Diesel | 1,100 | 23.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,215 | 24.3% |
| 2022 | 6,156 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 6,091 | 25.9% |
| 2024 | 5,808 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 5,438 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Punto
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.8% 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.
- Brakes (7.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2013 Fiat Puntos pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 29,708 2013 Fiat Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Fiat Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by suspension (9.8%).
Does the 2013 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 29,708 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.