Fiat Punto 199 (2005-2018): known problems and buying guide

Check the power steering and the Dualogic gearbox first, then the suspension, the window and lock electrics and the clutch.

Updated 27 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.2 8V, 69 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€426	€5,400	311	Petrol	169A4000	Manual (5)	2012–2018
1.4 8V, 77 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€443	€4,900	188	Petrol	350A1000	Manual (5)	2012–2018
1.3 JTD, 95 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€423	€5,990	150	Diesel	199B1000, 330A1000	Manual (5)	2012–2018
1.4 8V, 70 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€358	€4,200	127	Natural gas	350A1000	Manual (5)	2012–2018
1.3 JTD, 84 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€397	€4,900	69	Diesel	199B4000	Manual (5)	2012–2015

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.

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.

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

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.

Operational	€173
Workshop	€154
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€103
Total per month	€430
New-car depreciation (not included)	€39

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.