Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Fiat Punto hatchback (2012-2018) - Reliability & safety

A zero-star safety rating for the Fiat Punto, and Fiat still has a poor reputation for reliability

Carbuyer Rating

1.9 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.1 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Reliability & safety Rating

1.0 out of 5

The current Fiat Punto hasn’t changed a huge amount since 2005, and hasn’t exactly picked up awards for its reliability. Its official Euro NCAP safety rating has rather tumbled since launch, too.

Fiat Punto reliability

Fiat’s performance in customer-satisfaction surveys has been disappointing in the past but is showing signs of improving: it moved from dead last in our Driver Power owner satisfaction survey in 2016 to 15th out of 30 manufacturers in 2019.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Only around half of Carbuyer readers who’ve owned a Fiat Punto would recommend it to a friend. Electrical problems have come up time and again, but later models were praised for their economy and reliability. It’s these later cars that we recommend over the earlier versions.

Safety

The Fiat Grande Punto (which the latest model is based on) received the full five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, but that was back in 2005. When the organisation retested it in 2017, it failed to earn a single star – a real demonstration of just how far standards have been raised in the intervening years.

Under today's demanding crash-test regime, the Fiat Punto received a 51% score for adult occupant protection in a forward impact and just 43% for how it protected children. A lack of crash-avoidance technology was noted, too.

Only relatively basic safety equipment is standard, including driver, passenger and knee airbags as well as ISOFIX child-seat mounts, traction control and anti-lock brakes.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

It’s official – the Dacia Duster is the Carbuyer Car of the Year 2025!
Carbuyer Car of the Year – Dacia Duster
News
23 Oct 2024

It’s official – the Dacia Duster is the Carbuyer Car of the Year 2025!

The best cheap fun cars from under £5k to over £10k
Best cheap fun cars
Best cars
25 Oct 2024

The best cheap fun cars from under £5k to over £10k

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
25 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024