2017 Fiat Punto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,282 MOT tests analysed for the 2017 Fiat Punto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres. Its pass rate of 84.9% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (86.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.3% in the 120-150k group versus 9.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 748 |
| 2 | Visibility | 6.1% | 446 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.0% | 288 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.5% | 258 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.2% | 234 |
| 6 | Brakes | 2.3% | 168 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 405 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 310 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 307 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 249 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 239 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 217 |
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 | 24.7% | 1,796 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.5% | 907 |
| 3 | Steering | 6.3% | 461 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.2% | 450 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 407 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 276 |
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 | 3,250 | 9.8% |
| 30-60k | 3,101 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 765 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 114 | 25.4% |
| 120-150k | 39 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,398 | 10.2% |
| 2022 | 1,394 | 11.1% |
| 2023 | 1,448 | 13.3% |
| 2024 | 1,486 | 18.0% |
| 2025 | 1,556 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Punto
Before buying a 2017 Fiat Punto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 10.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (10.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (6.1% 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.
- Tyres (4.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2017 Fiat Puntos pass their MOT?
84.9% of the 7,282 2017 Fiat Punto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Fiat Punto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by visibility (6.1%).
Does the 2017 Punto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,282 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.