2010 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4L Petrol · CF10 AEJ

A pattern of chronic advisories rather than outright mechanical failure defines this 2010 Fiat Grande Punto, with corrosion across all four coil springs and a persistent oil leak flagged consistently over at least five consecutive test cycles. The most recent examination on 25 June 2025 recorded a pass alongside advisories for non-excessive oil seepage and corrosion affecting every coil spring, front and rear, near and offside. The same combination appeared on the previous pass in June 2024, while the 2023 and 2022 tests added steering rack inner joint play, worn front brake discs, and deteriorating front lower arm bushes to the growing list. The record includes two failures, one in June 2022 for an illuminated ABS warning lamp and a split nearside front CV boot allowing dirt ingress, and an earlier failure in June 2020 for a nearside front tyre cut deep enough to expose the ply cords. The brake disc and suspension arm advisories from 2021 through 2023 suggest progressive wear on components typical of higher-mileage vehicles, while the ABS fault and CV boot failure point to driveline and electronic braking system vulnerabilities. With 111,406 miles recorded against a sixteen-year age, the Grande Punto has averaged roughly 6,963 miles annually, a rate broadly typical for its class and age. The seven recorded tests between 2020 and 2025 show regular annual use without extended periods off the road, and the mileage progression aligns consistently with a vehicle in steady daily service. For a car of this age and accumulated distance, wear on suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs, and steering linkages is consistent with the recorded component life, and the persistent advisories across multiple test cycles point to wearing components that have not yet deteriorated beyond the MOT pass threshold but are clearly approaching it. A prospective buyer should focus the inspection on the suspension system, since advisories for corroded coil springs on all four corners have now appeared across four consecutive annual tests, indicating progressive deterioration rather than surface oxidation. On a test drive, listen for knocking or clonking noises from the front suspension over bumps and uneven surfaces, which would suggest the lower arm bushes flagged in 2021 and 2023 have worn beyond acceptable tolerance, and pay particular attention to any looseness or vibration through the steering wheel consistent with the steering rack inner joint play recorded in 2022 and 2023. Check under the bonnet for oil residue around the engine and gearbox area to gauge whether the recurring oil leak advisories have worsened since the 2025 test, and inspect the exhaust backbox noted in poor condition in 2021 for corrosion or blowing. The braking system warrants careful evaluation given the 2022 ABS warning lamp failure, which should be investigated to confirm the fault was properly rectified and has not returned, and the front brake disc wear advisories from 2022 and 2023 suggest the discs may now be at or beyond minimum thickness. On a test drive, feel for brake pedal pulsation or judder under firm application, indicating disc warping, and verify the handbrake holds effectively on an incline, as the 2023 test noted parking brake efficiency only just met the required standard. Inspect the nearside front inner CV boot for any fresh splits or grease contamination, and examine the tyres closely for cuts or bulges given the 2020 failure for a tyre cut exposing the ply cords. Finally, lift the vehicle if possible to examine the coil springs for severe section loss, as continued corrosion over multiple test cycles raises the prospect of imminent replacement being required.