Fiat Punto (1999)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 247 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,183

£182/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1242cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2,183/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1242cc27 years old247 tests66k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1242cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,183

Per month£182/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Fiat brand average of 83%.

70% of MOT tests on Fiat Puntos from 1999 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 25 years old. That's based on 247 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 65,869 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 models266th of 361(bottom half)

Rank among Fiat models677th of 788(bottom 15%)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 1999 models average-5%(75% avg)

vs Fiat average-13%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

65,869

Average miles

185,000

Expected for age

The average 1999 Fiat Punto had 65,869 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2017 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 82%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 59%. The 1999 scores 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Toyota Yaris

2001 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+1%

Ford Focus

2001 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

-2%

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+3%

Honda Civic

2001 · 1590cc Petrol

£2,228/year

70%

same

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About the 1999 Fiat Punto

The 1999 Fiat Punto is a small family car. Our records list a 1242cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 247 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 1999, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 65,869 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1999 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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1999 Fiat Punto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,183 (£182/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Fiat Punto Reliability Trend

Newer Fiat Puntos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1999 Fiat Punto

At 27 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

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 1999 Fiat Punto stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Fiat Punto(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183
Toyota Yaris(2001)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£30
Ford Focus(2001)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428+£245
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£145
Honda Civic(2001)	70%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£45

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1999 Fiat Punto

Is the 1999 Fiat Punto reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 1999 Fiat Puntos ended in a pass, from 247 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1999 Fiat Punto cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,183 a year (£182 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Fiat Punto?

70% of 247 MOT tests on the 1999 Fiat Punto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 266th of 361 models first registered in 1999 (bottom half).

Which year Fiat Punto has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2017 Fiat Punto has the highest MOT pass rate at 82% and the 2000 the lowest at 59%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1999 Fiat Punto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1999 Fiat Punto is 65,869 miles, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.