Abarth Punto MOT Failures
An analysis of 3,486 real DVSA MOT tests on the Abarth Punto — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Abarth Punto fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Abarth Punto is coil springs broken — this model is 7.8 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 3,486 MOT tests, 8.77% of all Abarth Punto tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include parking brake inoperative on one side (7.3x the fleet average), exhaust system damage (67x the fleet average), emissions failure (6.8x the fleet average), and light unit fault (6.0x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Abarth Punto's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Abarth Punto before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Abarth Punto's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Abarth Punto specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (7.8x the average) and light unit fault (6.0x). headlight fault (5.0x) and headlight fault also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Abarth Punto specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are exhaust system damage (67x the average) and parking brake inoperative on one side (7.3x). emissions failure (6.8x) and emissions failure also appear frequently.
The shift from coil springs broken at lower mileages to exhaust system damage at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
What to check before buying a Abarth Punto
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Abarth Punto:
Suspension — check for coil springs broken. Brakes — check for parking brake inoperative on one side. Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Abarth Punto?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Abarth Punto MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Abarth Punto?
Based on 3,486 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is coil springs broken — at 8x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include parking brake inoperative on one side and exhaust system damage.
Is the Abarth Punto reliable based on MOT data?
The Abarth Punto has 6 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is coil springs broken. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include coil springs broken, parking brake inoperative on one side, exhaust system damage.
How do I check a Abarth Punto's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.