Fiat Punto (1998)
1998 Fiat Punto
CarHunch analysed 39,877 real MOT records for the 1998 Fiat Punto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Fiat Punto fails its MOT significantly more often than the UK average, with only 65.2% passing first time versus 80% across all vehicles — and that's a serious red flag when combined with the fact that 23% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point. Neither petrol nor diesel variants offer a reliability advantage; both sit at around 65% pass rate.
At roughly 70,000 miles on average, these Puntos are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're still averaging 2.75 failures per test and 7.4 advisories, suggesting systemic wear rather than one-off problems. If you're considering a 1998 Punto, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on rust, exhaust systems, and braking components — the advisory count hints at suspension and corrosion issues — and factor in regular remedial work as a running cost.
What to check before buying a 1998 Fiat Punto
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 23% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Fiat Punto
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 38,849 | 65.2% | 2.75 |
| Diesel (3%) | 1,026 | 64.4% | 2.53 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 55.8% | 3.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Fiat Punto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Fiat Punto vehicles fall between 56,123 and 83,471 miles.
1998 Fiat Punto — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 185 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Fiat Punto
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
62.6%
Oil leak
-
44.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
44.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
40.3%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
-
29%
Offside Rear coil spring corroded
-
27.8%
Nearside Rear coil spring corroded
-
26.7%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
-
25.9%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Fiat Punto?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.