Diesel Fiat Punto: MOT pass rate

64.2% of diesel Fiat Puntos pass the MOT first time, measured across 2,069 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 102,397.

Diesel against the other Fiat Punto versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Fiat Punto specifically, diesel is the strongest at 64.2%, and this diesel version sits 0.2 points above the 64% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Fiat Punto had covered 102,397 miles at test, against 78,994 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Fiat Punto page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Fiat Punto

1. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2.5% of tests (4.27x the national rate for this defect)
2. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 3.5% of tests (3.69x the national rate for this defect)
3. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4.7% of tests (3.07x the national rate for this defect)
4. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 7.2% of tests (3.06x the national rate for this defect)
5. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.8% of tests (2.95x the national rate for this defect)
6. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 3.7% of tests (2.8x the national rate for this defect)
7. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 3.6% of tests (2.73x the national rate for this defect)
8. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 5.6% of tests (2.52x the national rate for this defect)
9. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.4% of tests (2.47x the national rate for this defect)
10. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 4.6% of tests (2.02x the national rate for this defect)

From 2,082 DVSA-tracked diesel Fiat Punto tests, 2024, split out from the Fiat Punto's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.25% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Fiat Punto

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 32.7% of tests (6.91x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 7.3% of tests (5.3x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 5.1% of tests (4.6x the national rate for this defect)
4. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 4.2% of tests (3.32x the national rate for this defect)
5. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 14.6% of tests (2.81x the national rate for this defect)
6. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 14.9% of tests (2.69x the national rate for this defect)
7. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 10.2% of tests (2.6x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 4.1% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)
9. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 3.8% of tests (1.43x the national rate for this defect)
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 16.6% of tests (1.35x the national rate for this defect)

From 2,082 DVSA-tracked diesel Fiat Punto tests, 2024.

Other Fiat Punto fuel types

• Petrol Fiat Punto - 64%

All Fiat Punto MOT data · Every model