IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2012 Fiat Punto / Grande Punto / Punto Evo

For 2012 the Punto name returned on a lightly facelifted Evo, with a simplified UK range and the option of the 0.9 TwinAir. The three-door was dropped in 2015 and a Techno Pack with a five-inch touchscreen arrived in 2016.

What changed for 2012

  • •Reverted to the Punto name with a revised grille; the UK range was cut to four trims in summer 2013, including a new Sporting
  • •0.9 TwinAir 85PS petrol added, alongside 1.2/1.4 petrols and 1.3 MultiJet diesel
  • •Three-door body style discontinued in 2015, leaving the five-door only
  • •Techno Pack with a five-inch touchscreen and cruise control added in June 2016

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !EPS column and torque sensor faults, often flagged by a steering warning light
  • !Corroded rear axle beam and worn rear bushes on 2012-2015 cars
  • !Emissions failures and coil pack faults on high-mileage 1.2 and 1.4 petrols
4
Known Issues
3
Serious
1
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Electric Power Steering Failure

SeriousSteering

A very common failure where the torque sensor or motor inside the column fails.

Est. Repair Cost: £300–£700
Warning Signs:

Steering warning light, Uneven weight when turning left vs right, Complete loss of assistance

What to Inspect:
  • Verify smooth operation in both normal and City modes
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Overheating and head gasket failure

SeriousEngine

The 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines are prone to overheating if the cooling system is neglected. Head gasket failure can follow, causing creamy residue under the oil cap, coolant loss and poor engine performance. Cars as young as three years old have been affected.

Est. Repair Cost: £400–£1,500
Warning Signs:

Creamy residue under oil cap, Coolant loss without visible leak, Overheating gauge, White exhaust smoke

What to Inspect:
  • Check oil cap for mayo-like residue
  • Inspect coolant level and look for head-gasket symptoms
  • Ask about cooling-system maintenance history
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Timing belt failure

SeriousEngine

The Punto's timing belt should be replaced every 60,000 miles or 5 years. If it snaps or slips, the engine can suffer catastrophic internal damage. This is especially critical on the Interferenz engines where a belt failure means bent valves.

Est. Repair Cost: £30–£450 (prevention) / £1,000+ (engine damage)
Warning Signs:

Rattling noise from timing area, Engine cuts out suddenly, Misfire or loss of power before failure

What to Inspect:
  • Demand evidence of timing belt replacement at the correct interval
  • Check the service history for belt and tensioner invoices
  • If no history, assume it needs doing immediately
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Alternator Housing Cracking

ModerateEngine

On 1.2 and 1.4 petrol models, water can drip onto the alternator, causing the casing to crack in freezing weather.

Est. Repair Cost: £150–£300
Warning Signs:

Battery light on, Squealing noise from belt, Charging failure

What to Inspect:
  • Look for cracks in the alternator metal casing
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Buying Tips for 2012 Fiat Punto / Grande Punto / Punto Evo

  • Check for an illuminated steering warning light and any uneven assistance left to right
  • Test the five-inch touchscreen and steering-wheel controls on Techno Pack cars
  • Inspect the rear axle and brake pipes, and check the MOT history for corrosion