Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Fiat Punto (2012-2018) review - Reliability and Safety

Fiat hasn’t performed well in our recent reliability surveys, and the Punto was crash tested back in 2005

Reliability and Safety rating

2.5

How we review cars
Find your Fiat Punto
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Fiat came 24th in our 2015 Driver Power survey for reliability and consumer satisfaction. While that may not sound too good, it’s actually a three-place improvement on the previous year, and a big jump from its rock-bottom finish in 2012. 

There’s still lots of room for improvement though, and the brand will need to make strides in the performance and ride quality stakes if it wants to take more steps up the ladder in 2016. Practicality and seat comfort are also areas for development. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Fiat Punto should be relatively safe in spite of its age though, as driver, passenger and knee airbags are standard on both trim levels. The supermini also managed four-stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests.

Back in 2005 when it was crash tested the percentage ratings for categories had yet to be introduced. Instead, the Punto was awarded five stars for adult occupant safety, and three stars each for child occupant and pedestrian safety. While that means it’s hard to make direct comparisons, it seems reasonable to assume that more recently designed rivals will crash more safely. The chances are they’ll feature more on-board safety tech too.

In terms of standard or optional safety kit, the Punto falls a little behind its more up-to-date rivals. You do get ABS, ESP and a hill-hold system as standard, but there’s no Emergency Brake Assist, lane-keep assist or blind-spot warning – even on the options list. Cornering fog-lights are standard on the Easy+, but there’s not much else to boast about.

Warranty

The Fiat Punto comes with the Italian manufacturer’s standard three-year/unlimited mileage warranty cover, which is better than some rivals who impose 60,000-mile limits. Others push the boat out further of course, and Hyundai offers five-year cover with unlimited mileage, while Kia offers an impressive seven years.

Servicing

As it’s a relatively low-end competitor, dealers for the Fiat brand should offer pretty reasonable service rates. The Punto itself has 18,000 mile or two-year service intervals, whichever comes first.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Vauxhall Mokka facelift takes the fight to the Ford Puma with £24k starting price
Vauxhall Mokka facelift - front static

New Vauxhall Mokka facelift takes the fight to the Ford Puma with £24k starting price

Vauxhall’s stylish small SUV has been given an interior makeover, bigger screens and a simplified engine line-up
News
6 Nov 2024
Dacia Spring Cargo is a new city slicker electric van for only £13k
Dacia Spring Cargo - front static

Dacia Spring Cargo is a new city slicker electric van for only £13k

The commercial version of Dacia’s cut-price Spring EV ditches the back seats to increase cargo space
News
5 Nov 2024
New Suzuki e Vitara revealed: Japanese brand’s first EV only offers 248-mile range
Suzuki e Vitara reveal - front

New Suzuki e Vitara revealed: Japanese brand’s first EV only offers 248-mile range

The compact Suzuki e Vitara electric SUV will be available with four-wheel drive, and should arrive next summer
News
4 Nov 2024