Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 8V, 77 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €444 | €1,950 | 173 | Petrol | 350A1000 | Manual (5) | 2005–2010 |
| 1.2 8V, 65 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €441 | €1,880 | 145 | Petrol | 199A4000 | Manual (5) | 2005–2010 |
At a glance
- Built 2005 to 2018 as the Grande Punto (2005-2009), Punto Evo (2009-2012) and Punto (2012-2018). Three and five doors.
- The power steering sensor, the Dualogic gearbox and the suspension joints are the main risks.
- Reliability: 2/5, because the power steering sensor and the Dualogic gearbox fail, and the window and lock electrics are weak.
- DIY: 2/5, because the power steering needs a fault-memory reader, and the steering column is a workshop job.
- Prefer: a manual car. Two UK reviews advise against the Dualogic robot.
- Avoid: a Dualogic car that jerks or shifts slowly, or whose gearbox warning lamp blinks.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.2 8V FIRE (199A4000, 169A4000): its own guide covers the faults. See the 1.2 8V FIRE guide.
- 1.4 8V FIRE (350A1000): no fault confirmed in the sources read. Also sold as Natural Power CNG with the same engine.
- 1.4 16V StarJet (199A6000): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 1.4 16V MultiAir (955A6000, 199B6000): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 1.4 T-Jet (198A4000) and 1.4 MultiAir turbo (955A2000): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 0.9 TwinAir (312A2000): no fault confirmed in the sources read. Built 2012 to 2013.
- 1.3 Multijet (199A9000, 199A3000, 199B4000, 223A9000, 199B1000, 330A1000): RAC Drive calls the diesels especially rugged, and Auto Express calls the 1.3 pretty good.
- 1.6 Multijet (955A3000): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 1.9 Multijet (939A1000, 199A5000): RAC Drive counts it among the rugged diesels. No fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 5-speed and 6-speed manual: the clutch can slip. See Clutch wear.
- Dualogic automated manual: two UK reviews advise against it. See Dualogic gearbox.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric power steering | All engines | 40,000-80,000 km (Kolesa.ru, 2017) | EUR 800-1,200 for a column (carwiki.de, year not stated); EUR 50-148 for a sensor (owners, 2013-2018) |
| Dualogic gearbox | Dualogic automated gearbox, 1.4 8V and 1.3 Multijet | About 100,000 km for the pump and accumulator (Kolesa.ru, 2017) | No confirmed price |
| Suspension and steering joints | All engines | From about 150,000 km in town (Kolesa.ru, 2017) | EUR 100-800, by part (carwiki.de, year not stated) |
| Electric windows, locks and tailgate latch | All engines | Not stated | Not stated |
| Clutch wear | Manual gearbox | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Turn the steering to full lock while stationary, then drive slowly. Heavy steering, a sudden loss of assist or a warning light means the power steering is faulty. A scanner reads the fault memory. Check the battery charge first: a weak battery can trigger the fault.
- On a test drive, make several up- and down-shifts. A jerk, a slow shift or a drop into neutral is a fault. A blinking gearbox lamp means low hydraulic pressure. A scanner is needed for the fault codes.
- With the engine running, listen to the hydraulic pump. It should switch on at least every 15 minutes. A pump that switches on about every minute is near failure.
- Drive over bumps and turn the wheel on full lock. Knocks, clunks or vague steering mean worn joints, tie rods or shock absorbers. Look for oil on the shock absorbers. No tools needed.
- Pull away from rest several times. If the revs rise but the car does not speed up, or it judders when pulling away, the clutch is slipping.
- Test every window, the central locking and the tailgate, with the key and the switches. If a window fails, start with the driver's door switch. A tailgate that does not open may have a faulty latch or a rear washer pipe that has come off. No tools needed.
Running costs
| Operational | €181 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €156 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €105 |
| Total per month | €442 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €38 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 482
- 25th percentile
- €1,300
- Median price
- €1,880
- 75th percentile
- €2,500
- Median mileage
- 160,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2008
- Dealer share
- 39%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €2,639
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Electric power steering
The power steering assist can cut out or fail. The steering turns heavy, the assist stops, and a humming noise or a vibrating wheel can appear. A warning light can show.
The fault sits in the steering angle sensor, which is part of the column. carwiki.de says that from 2009 the sensor cannot be replaced alone, so the whole upper column is replaced. A weak or flat battery can trigger the same fault. Kolesa.ru says the sensor usually needs replacing after 40,000 to 80,000 km.
Fix: a fault-memory reading, a battery check, then a new column or sensor. Owners who changed only the sensor or the unit paid EUR 50 (about 2018) and EUR 148 (2013).
Cost: EUR 800-1,200 to replace the column (carwiki.de, year not stated).
Sources: Kolesa.ru: used Grande Punto, doors and power steering, carwiki.de: steering noises and faults, DRIVE2: sensor replacement, 1.4 2006
Dualogic gearbox
Dualogic is the automated manual gearbox, also called Selespeed in the Russian sources. A clutch and actuator (the unit that moves the gears) shift for you. Shifts can be jerky or slow. The gearbox warning lamp can blink.
The wear items are the electric hydraulic pump and the pressure accumulator (the hydraulic store). Kolesa.ru says the pump should switch on at least every 15 minutes. A pump that switches on about every minute is near failure. A blinking lamp means low pressure.
Two UK reviews advise against the Dualogic: RAC Drive calls it potentially problematic, and Auto Express says to avoid it.
Fix: a new pump or accumulator. A restored accumulator costs less than a new one (Kolesa.ru).
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: RAC Drive: Fiat Punto 2012-2018, Auto Express: used Fiat Grande Punto, Kolesa.ru: robot, engines and manual gearbox
Suspension and steering joints
Clunks and knocks over bumps are the signs. RAC Drive says to look for clunking from the suspension. Auto Express notes creaky suspension on the used Grande Punto. autoplenum.de names leaking shock absorbers as a defect.
Tie rods and the steering rack fail mainly on rough roads. Kolesa.ru says they rarely fail in town before 150,000 to 200,000 km.
Fix: replace the worn shock absorbers, ball joints, tie rods or steering gear.
Cost: EUR 100-800, depending on the part (carwiki.de, year not stated).
Sources: RAC Drive: Fiat Punto 2012-2018, Auto Express: used Fiat Grande Punto, autoplenum.de: Fiat Typ 199 test and recalls, carwiki.de: steering noises and faults
Electric windows, locks and tailgate latch
Windows can freeze or stop working. The tailgate latch can fail. The trunk lock is a typical failure. Door lock cables and window lift cables break or are badly tensioned.
Auto Express says a tailgate that does not open is often caused by the rear washer pipe coming off and soaking the lock.
Fix: replace the cable, the switch or the latch.
Cost: not stated.
Sources: RAC Drive: Fiat Grande Punto 2006-2010, Auto Express: used Fiat Grande Punto, Kolesa.ru: used Grande Punto, doors and power steering
Clutch wear
The clutch slips. RAC Drive lists slipping clutches on manual cars as a check. The clutch disc wears. On the 1.4 8V manual, Kolesa.ru says the plastic bushings of the dual-mass flywheel can knock after about 100,000 km.
Fix: a new clutch kit, or the clutch basket and disc. Kolesa.ru lists a Valeo kit with flywheel, but only in roubles.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: RAC Drive: Fiat Punto 2012-2018, Kolesa.ru: robot, engines and manual gearbox
Recalls
No recall with a campaign code or a second source was found in the sources read. Check open campaigns by VIN with a Fiat dealer.
Two sites report several recalls, including steering faults: Auto Express (UK) and autoplenum.de (Germany). Neither gives campaign codes or build months.
Maintenance
- Battery: keep the battery charged. A weak battery can trigger the power steering fault (carwiki.de).
- Dualogic: a pump that switches on often means the hydraulics are wearing. Have the pump and accumulator checked before the gearbox fails.
Sources
English
- Auto Express: used Fiat Grande Punto
- Auto Express: Fiat Grande Punto, 2007 review
- RAC Drive: Fiat Grande Punto 2006-2010
- RAC Drive: Fiat Punto 2012-2018
German
- autoplenum.de: Fiat Typ 199 test and recalls
- carwiki.de: steering noises and faults
- carwiki.de: rotes Lenkrad im Display