2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Fiat Punto MOT pass rate and common faults

1,257 MOT tests in 2024. 53.4% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

93Below average
Passed first time53.4%
Failed or needed repairs46.6%
Typical mileage at test70,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,257 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced8.6%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.5%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.7%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases5.6%
  5. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.9%
  6. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.7%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.9%
  9. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced2.8%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    47 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics32.9%
  2. Body & chassis22.1%
  3. Brakes16.1%
  4. Suspension15.8%
  5. Emissions & leaks13.6%
  6. Seat belts & airbags12.7%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.6%
  8. Tyres6.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened29.9%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine22.8%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.1%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.3%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases9.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Fiat Punto?

In 2024, 53.4% of 2003 Fiat Punto cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,257 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Fiat Punto?

The most common failure reasons were seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Fiat Punto reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 93, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).