Fiat Punto
Solid turbocharged petrol engine with adequate everyday performance. Turbocharger and crankcase ventilation are known weak points, but manageable with correct driving practice (cool-down after motorway, regular oil changes). Well maintained, easily good for over 200,000 km.
Small Turbo Cracker
The T-Jet brings real punch to Bravo and Punto. Turbo thrust from mid-range, nice throttle response — an underrated sporting engine.
Engine Weaknesses 4
The turbocharger of the 1.4 T-Jet (120/150 hp) is a known weak point. Typical failures: defective wastegate with power loss, bearing failure due to oil starvation. Repair €400–1,500.
Symptoms: Severe power loss at high revs, whistling noises, smoke discharge, engine goes into limp mode
The water pump of the T-Jet can leak and drip coolant onto the crankshaft sensor (mounted close to the water pump), causing sensor failures and misfires.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, followed by misfires from wet crankshaft sensor, engine warning light
The membrane in the crankcase breather valve (part number 55208531) tears and allows oil to enter the intake tract, contaminating the turbocharger compressor wheel.
Symptoms: Oil in intake area, delayed boost build-up, blue smoke, rough idle
Ignition coil failures with misfires on individual cylinders are well documented on the 1.4 T-Jet. Two coil failures often occur in quick succession, sometimes accompanied by water ingress from a leaking water pump.
Symptoms: Juddering, engine warning light flashing, power loss, misfire fault codes
Vehicle Weaknesses 10
On the Fiat Punto (199), dashboard lighting and interior lighting frequently fail due to loose connectors. Engine control unit faults especially on models up to 2007.
Wheel arches and sills on the Fiat Punto (199) rust above-average. At MOT, vehicles from the fourth inspection onwards disproportionately often have serious defects.
The electric power steering on the Fiat Punto (199) frequently fails at higher mileage, making the steering noticeably heavier. Repair costs €500–800.
AC compressors on the Fiat Punto (199) fail more frequently than average at higher mileage. Replacement compressor costs €400–700 plus fitting and recharging.
Strut mounts and drop links on the front axle of the Fiat Punto (199) wear early and regularly cause defects at MOT.
Brake discs on the Fiat Punto (199) warp and lead to reduced braking performance. Handbrake also tends to reduced effectiveness.
Gear linkage bushes on the Fiat Punto (199) wear and cause stiff, imprecise shifting. Fifth gear can lock on the motorway.
Age-related seals on engine and gearbox of the Fiat Punto (199) start to seep oil, requiring regular top-ups.
Exhaust system of the Fiat Punto (199) corrodes early, particularly on short-trip drivers. MOT failures for inadequate emissions typical from 100,000 km.
Gas struts on the tailgate lose force and no longer hold the tailgate open. Door locks jam particularly in cold weather.