2016 Fiat Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,170 MOT tests, the 2016 Fiat Punto recorded an 83.4% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (15.6% fail rate), the 2016 Punto comes out 1.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 11.8% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, headlamp aim and wipers — track rod end alone was recorded 599 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.3% in the 0-30k band and 32.8% in the 120-150k band, a 23.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 1,204 |
| 2 | Visibility | 5.6% | 569 |
| 3 | Steering | 4.4% | 448 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.2% | 424 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.5% | 354 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 226 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 599 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 475 |
| 3 | Wipers | 468 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 433 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 423 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 253 |
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 | 26.2% | 2,661 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.6% | 1,584 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.8% | 891 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.3% | 740 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.2% | 737 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 659 |
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 | 3,057 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 4,974 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,670 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 377 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 67 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,970 | 12.2% |
| 2022 | 1,978 | 13.5% |
| 2023 | 2,027 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 2,087 | 19.7% |
| 2025 | 2,108 | 21.3% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Punto
On a 2016 Punto, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (5.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Steering (4.4% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2016 Fiat Puntos pass their MOT?
83.4% of the 10,170 2016 Fiat Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Fiat Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by visibility (5.6%).
Does the 2016 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,170 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.