Fiat Punto (2002)
2002 Fiat Punto
CarHunch analysed 56,749 real MOT records for the 2002 Fiat Punto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Fiat Punto's 71.4% first-time MOT pass rate trails the UK average by nearly 9 percentage points, signalling below-average reliability for its age. More concerning, over a quarter of these cars (25.8%) have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history, making this a genuine safety consideration for buyers.
These 22-year-old Puntos average around 61,000 miles, which is reasonable for the age, but each car typically racks up four failures per test and 13 advisories, pointing to aging brakes, suspension, and exhaust components wearing out. Before purchasing, have a pre-buy inspection focus on the brake system and suspension—these are the expensive repeat offenders on this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2002 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.
- ⚠️ 25.8% 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 54,998 | 71.6% | 4 |
| Diesel (3%) | 1,741 | 67.9% | 4.42 |
| Other (0%) | 4 | 77.2% | 2.5 |
| LPG (0%) | 4 | 68% | 4.5 |
| CNG (0%) | 1 | 71.4% | 4 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 75% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 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 2002 Fiat Punto vehicles fall between 47,065 and 72,376 miles.
2002 Fiat Punto — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,910 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 — 2002 Fiat Punto
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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86.6%
Oil leak
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79.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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77.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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42.4%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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40.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.9%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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36.8%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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33.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. 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.