2009 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4L Petrol · FH09 DFP

The most recent MOT, carried out on 30 January 2026, was a pass but returned a series of advisories covering the exhaust heat‑shield, an oil seep, front brake disc surface condition, rear sub‑frame corrosion and a near‑side rear brake pipe that is corroded and greased. Earlier in the same month the vehicle failed a test on three serious items – the lambda sensor reading, a fault on the supplementary restraint system and an incorrect headlamp aim – indicating that the car has been operating with intermittent electronic and emissions issues. Over the past three years the pattern shows a shift from outright failures in 2023 and 2024 to a clean pass in 2025 and a passing result in early 2026, suggesting that recent maintenance has at least halted the deterioration, though the persistence of multiple advisories means the overall condition remains marginal and warrants close scrutiny. At 137,349 mi the car has averaged just over 8,000 mi per annum since its first registration in 2009. This mileage is typical for a vehicle of its age and does not point to any period of extreme abuse or unusually low use that might mask hidden deterioration. The mileage progression appears steady with no large gaps that would indicate long periods of storage, which can exacerbate corrosion of brake lines, sub‑frames and suspension bushings. Nevertheless, the cumulative distance means that wear items such as brake discs, suspension arms, coil springs and tyre tread have been subjected to considerable service life and are likely approaching the end of their design life. Prospective buyers should give particular attention to the exhaust system, as the heat‑shield is loose and a minor leak was recorded; listen for a hissing or ticking noise at idle and check for black soot around the manifold and any soot‑stained under‑tray. The oil leak noted in the latest advisory, although described as not excessive, may indicate ageing valve cover gaskets or a deteriorating oil pan seal – a visual inspection for fresh oil spots under the engine and a pressure test would be prudent. The front brake discs are already pitted and lipped on the inner face, and the rear sub‑frame shows corrosion; feel for any pulsation or shudder when applying the brakes and inspect the disc thickness and surface uniformity, as replacement of both front discs and possibly the rear discs may be imminent. The near‑side rear brake pipe and both front brake pipes are corroded and greased, a condition that can lead to reduced hydraulic integrity; a thorough check for fluid leaks, soft pedal feel and any signs of moisture in the brake fluid is essential. The vehicle also carries a history of suspension and chassis concerns – a fractured off‑side front coil spring in 2024, damaged front suspension arms and corroded lower arm bushes, and excessive corrosion on the front sub‑frame that previously affected steering and braking. During a test drive, listen for clunking or knocking over bumps, and check for uneven tyre wear that may signal misaligned or worn bushings. Both front tyres were reported near or below the legal tread limit in recent tests, so verify the current tread depth and look for sidewall cracking that can arise from age rather than mileage. The repeated headlamp aim and lens defects suggest possible electrical grounding issues; confirm that the lights are correctly centred and that the SRS warning lamp remains extinguished after a brief ignition cycle. Finally, given the vehicle’s age, have the 12 V battery load‑tested, ensure that all engine oils, coolant and brake fluids have been changed within the recommended intervals, and request a full service history to confirm that major components such as the timing belt (if applicable) have been replaced in accordance with Fiat’s service schedule.