Photo: User3204, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Small three-door sports car with a 1.4 turbo engine, from 155 hp (T-Jet, 2008-2010) to 165 hp (MultiAir, Punto Evo). Car Checker considers the T-Jet robust if it has been well maintained, but points to the M32 gearbox bearings and the power steering column as weak spots. Have the gearbox, steering and service history checked before buying.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €9,490 – €10,500
- Monthly cost
- €342
- Euro NCAP
- Rating not found
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.4 T-Jet 155, 1.4 MultiAir 165.
1.4 T-Jet 155
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 155 hp · 6.7 L/100 km · 159 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
1.4 turbo of 155 hp and 230 Nm, 1,368 cm³, sold from July 2008 to January 2011 according to Auto-Selection (6.7 L/100 km and 159 g/km on the NEDC cycle). M32 gearbox: bearings to watch.
1.4 T-Jet 180 Esseesse
Petrol · Manual · 180 hp · Crit'Air 2
Same 1.4 T-Jet uprated to 180 hp and 270 Nm by the Esseesse kit (fitted after purchase, within a limited window according to the press). Check on the invoice that the kit was fitted by the Abarth network.
1.4 MultiAir 165
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 165 hp · 6.0 L/100 km · 142 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
Punto Evo (2010-2013): 1.4 turbo MultiAir with 250 Nm, 6.0 L/100 km and 142 g/km on the NEDC cycle according to Auto-Selection (the Autotijd listing gives 163 hp). A full service history is essential.
Market prices
€9,490 – €10,500
Indicative range: 2008 to 2010, yearly medians from 4 online listings recorded by AutoUncle.
Collected on 14 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
M32 gearbox bearings (1.4 T-Jet)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe M32 gearbox fitted to the 1.4 T-Jet is reported as a weak point: Car Checker sees it as the main concern on the Abarth Grande Punto. On FiatForum, owners attribute the wear of the 5th and 6th gear bearings to poor lubrication, and describe a whine, mainly in 6th gear under load, more common on remapped cars. These are testimonies, not statistics.
- Versions
- 1.4 T-Jet 155, 1.4 T-Jet 180 Esseesse
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Electric power steering column (Grande Punto recall)
Manufacturer recallCar Checker lists the electric power steering column among the weak points of the Abarth Grande Punto. L'argus reports a recall of 43,666 Grande Punto cars built from May to September 2006 (about 3,000 of them in France) for a possible defect in the upper part of the column, on the universal joint side; What Car? also mentions recalls, one of which concerns a possible steering failure. The 2006 recall does not explicitly target the Abarth: have the serial number checked at a dealer.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 1.4 T-Jet 155, 1.4 T-Jet 180 Esseesse
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Abarth Grande Punto / Punto Evo”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €165 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €58 |
| Maintenance | €24 |
| Depreciation | €95 |
| Total per month | €342 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€165
1.4 T-Jet 155 version: combined consumption of 6.7 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
6.7 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €165
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€58
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€24
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€95
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Abarth Grande Punto / Punto Evo 199 — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Test the gearbox cold and warm: whine in 5th and 6th under load, harsh shifts (M32 bearings).
- Test the power steering: uneven assistance or noises from the column; have the recalls checked using the serial number.
- Ask for oil-change invoices and watch for engine warning lights, misfires and smoke from the exhaust.
- Esseesse: ask for the invoice for fitting the 180 hp kit and check that there has been no non-original remapping.
- Check for corrosion around the brake servo bracket and the rear brake calipers.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the car been serviced regularly, and which oil is used (important on the MultiAir)?
- Have the gearbox or the steering column been replaced? Do you have the invoices?
- Has the car been remapped, or was the Esseesse kit fitted at a dealership?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: M 93, Public domain
Alfa Romeo MiTo
I · 2008–2018
- Price
- €4,500 – €9,400
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0
Fiat 500
II · 2007–2024
- Price
- €5,000 – €16,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Photo: Wikisympathisant, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mini Hatch
III (F55/F56, 2014-2024) · 2014–2024
- Price
- €9,500 – €26,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Electric
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 208
I · 2012–2019
- Price
- €3,500 – €8,200
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Abarth Grande Punto / Punto Evo 199 (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What Euro NCAP rating does the Abarth Grande Punto / Punto Evo have?
I could not find a Euro NCAP rating specific to the Abarth versions. The Grande Punto (Fiat) received five adult stars in 2005, then the reworked Punto received zero stars in a new test in 2017 according to Autocar: these ratings are not the Abarth's.
What is the boot capacity?
275 litres, up to 1,030 litres with the rear seat folded (AutoScout24 for the Grande Punto Abarth, Auto-Selection for the Punto Evo).
What is the power of the Esseesse?
180 hp and 270 Nm, compared with 155 hp and 230 Nm for the original version, thanks to an engine and chassis kit fitted after purchase.
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