Fiat Grande Punto MOT Failures
An analysis of 175,354 real DVSA MOT tests on the Fiat Grande Punto — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Fiat Grande Punto fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Fiat Grande Punto is light unit fault — this model is 86 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 175,354 MOT tests, 3.27% of all Fiat Grande Punto tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (43x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (50x the fleet average), steering lock missing or not functioning (44x the fleet average), and stop lamp adversely affected by the operation o... (20x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Fiat Grande 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 6 categories: Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions, Seatbelts & Airbags, Steering, Brakes and others. If you're inspecting a Fiat Grande 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 Fiat Grande 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 Fiat Grande Punto specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (86x the average) and seat mounting fault (50x). emissions failure (43x) and suspension component damaged or corroded (34x) 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 Fiat Grande Punto specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are body panel damage (36x the average) and steering lock missing or not functioning (31x). light unit fault (22x) and stop lamp adversely affected by the operation o... (13x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Fiat Grande Punto specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are steering lock missing or not functioning (44x the average) and seat mounting fault (25x). light unit fault (15x) and cable damaged or knotted (12x) also appear frequently.
The shift from light unit fault at lower mileages to steering lock missing or not functioning 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 Fiat Grande Punto
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Fiat Grande Punto:
Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, stop lamp adversely affected by the operation o.... Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Steering — check for steering lock missing or not functioning.
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 Fiat Grande Punto?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Fiat Grande Punto MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Fiat Grande Punto?
Based on 175,354 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is light unit fault — at 86x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and seat mounting fault.
Is the Fiat Grande Punto reliable based on MOT data?
The Fiat Grande Punto has 18 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is light unit fault. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Fiat Grande Punto most commonly fails on steering lock missing or not functioning and seat mounting fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are light unit fault and seat mounting fault.
How do I check a Fiat Grande 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.