2015 Fiat Punto 1.4L Petrol · YK15 WXT

The overall roadworthiness of this 2015 Fiat Punto presents a worsening maintenance trend, primarily driven by neglected mechanical and consumable items. The most recent test on 25 March 2026 at 99,499 miles passed, but the tester flagged three distinct advisories. A perishing offside front tyre, low nearside rear handbrake effort, and a minor exhaust gas leak from the front section indicate the vehicle is deteriorating from a lack of proactive upkeep. These are not isolated anomalies. They directly echo failures and advisories from earlier tests, establishing a clear pattern of deferred servicing. Mileage accumulation aligns closely with national averages at roughly 9,045 miles per year. The progression from 69,306 miles in November 2022 to 99,499 miles in March 2026 shows consistent, typical urban use without any suspicious gaps or odometer discrepancies. The step between November 2023 and December 2024 sits at just under 8,000 miles, which is entirely standard. This steady usage profile means wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components is expected, yet the MOT data strongly suggests previous owners addressed these items only when forced to by test failures. A buyer must prioritize a thorough inspection of the nearside front suspension and the braking system. The vehicle failed in November 2023 at 82,101 miles for a fractured nearside front coil spring, an excessively worn suspension arm ball joint, and a damaged track rod end dust cover. While these items likely received replacement to secure the pass certificate the very next day, the underlying cause of that accelerated wear warrants investigation. The parking brake has been a persistent weak point. Low nearside rear handbrake effort appeared as an advisory in December 2024 and again in March 2026, failing the test outright back in November 2023. This recurring defect points to a binding caliper, a seized mechanism, or severely worn rear shoes that previous keepers simply ignored. The exhaust system also demands immediate physical scrutiny. A front exhaust flexi section was flagged as badly deteriorated in November 2022, and the latest March 2026 test records a minor leak of exhaust gases from the front exhaust. This strongly implies a cheap or incomplete repair was carried out previously, leaving the flexi pipe to degrade once more. The perishing offside front tyre from the most recent test requires immediate replacement, as cracking indicates age-related degradation rather than simple tread wear. A prospective buyer should treat the car as mechanically compromised until a specialist verifies the condition of the front coil springs, the rear braking components, and the exhaust integrity.