How much does a 1996 FIAT PUNTO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 FIAT PUNTO?

The 1996 FIAT PUNTO has a 78% MOT pass rate based on 147 tests in 2026. This ranks 103 out of 252 cars from 1996.

Which year FIAT PUNTO is most reliable?

The 2017 FIAT PUNTO has the highest MOT pass rate at 82%. The least reliable year is 2000 at 59%.

FIAT PUNTO (1996)

Q: Is the 1996 FIAT PUNTO reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 78% of FIAT PUNTOs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 147 tests. That's 4 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1996 FIAT PUNTO?

The average mileage for a 1996 FIAT PUNTO is 73,333 miles, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 147 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1242cc Petrol

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £1887/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific FIAT PUNTO

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1242cc30 years old147 tests73k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1242cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1242cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,887

Per month£157/mo

Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this FIAT PUNTO

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

78% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the FIAT brand average of 83%.

At 30 years old, 78% of FIAT PUNTOs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 147 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 73,333 miles.

Got a FIAT PUNTO you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars103th of 252(top 41%)

Rank among FIAT models525th of 818(top 64%)

vs national average-4%(82% avg)

vs 1996 cars average+3%(75% avg)

vs FIAT average-5%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

73,333

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 FIAT PUNTO has 73,333 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific FIAT PUNTO?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2017 model with a 82% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 59%. The 1996 sits between the two at 78%.

FIAT PUNTO by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	82%	533	36,705 mi
2017	82%	1,938	42,168 mi
2016	80%	2,771	49,988 mi
2015	78%	4,212	58,107 mi
2014	75%	6,811	66,591 mi
2013	74%	8,286	72,757 mi
2012	75%	10,812	77,391 mi
2011	73%	8,165	85,661 mi
2010	73%	9,295	90,318 mi
2009	72%	3,697	87,540 mi
2008	70%	11,118	92,805 mi
2007	69%	17,634	91,428 mi
2006	69%	11,997	91,215 mi
2005	69%	3,095	79,650 mi
2004	67%	4,412	80,375 mi
2003	65%	2,537	76,820 mi
2002	70%	1,360	72,229 mi
2001	73%	622	61,550 mi
2000	59%	291	75,865 mi
1999	70%	247	65,869 mi
1998	80%	329	71,966 mi
1997	73%	174	69,103 mi
1996	78%	147	73,333 mi
1995	75%	153	65,118 mi
1994	76%	79	69,645 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1998 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,827/year

75%

-3%

NISSAN MICRA

1998 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,922/year

69%

-9%

TOYOTA STARLET

1998 · 1332cc Petrol

£1,722/year

75%

-3%

HONDA CIVIC

1998 · 1396cc Petrol

£1,722/year

73%

-5%

Check a Specific Fiat Punto

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1996 FIAT PUNTO

The 1996 FIAT PUNTO is a small family car with a 1242cc petrol engine. 147 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 73,333 miles at 30 years old, FIAT PUNTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1996 FIAT PUNTO Fuel Costs

The 1242cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 FIAT PUNTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FIAT PUNTO Reliability Trend

Newer FIAT PUNTOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1996 FIAT PUNTO

At 30 years old, the FIAT PUNTO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2017 model has the highest pass rate at 82%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 FIAT PUNTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1996 FIAT PUNTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FIAT PUNTO(1996)	78%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1887
MAZDA MX-5(1998)	75%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£60
NISSAN MICRA(1998)	69%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1922+£35
TOYOTA STARLET(1998)	75%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£165
HONDA CIVIC(1998)	73%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£165

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.