Diesel · 2005–2018
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
All about the Fiat Grande Punto / PuntoAll about the 1.3 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi engine
The 1.2 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi engine was fitted to the Fiat Grande Punto / Punto (2005–2018). In the EU that is 27.8 % of all new cars of this generation.
Versions: 1.2 75 hp, 1.2 95 hp, 1.2 84 hp, 1.2.
The most expensive known risk is timing chain stretch and tensioner wear: it usually appears at 100,000–200,000 km and costs €800–1,300 to fix.
✓ The faults of this engine were checked against sources (10/2026). Each item has at least two independent sources or an official recall or parts-maker technical note.
Signs: Metallic rattle from the chain side on cold start, crank/cam correlation fault code, engine light
Fix: Measure the crank/cam deviation with a diagnostic tool; replace the chain kit with tensioner and guides before the chain jumps
Signs: Hard starting, rough or knocking idle when cold, power loss, higher fuel use, sometimes limp mode
Fix: Read per-cylinder correction values and back-leak; repair or replace only the faulty injector and renew its seal
Signs: Engine light, rough idle, hesitation, power loss or limp mode; worse with short trips
Fix: Check EGR movement in live data; clean or replace the valve
Signs: Boost fault codes, power loss, limp mode, sometimes whistling or smoke
Fix: Check boost control and charge-air hoses for leaks first; free or replace the actuator, replace the turbo only if it is worn
Signs: Hard starting in cold weather, smoke after a cold start, glow plug warning light
Fix: Test the plugs and the control unit; replace faulty parts (seized plugs may need extraction)
Signs: Steering heavy in one direction at first, intermittently, later total loss of assistance with the steering warning on; codes C1001 / C1002.
Fix: Check battery and charging voltage, read codes, then fit a rebuilt or replacement EPS column unit matching the part number.
Signs: Knocking or noise from the steering column; in rare cases the shaft separates and steering is lost.
Fix: Check the VIN for the recalls; the dealer inspects the shaft and bolt torque and replaces the shaft if needed, free of charge.
Signs: Usually none; a missing clip lets the wiring chafe and it can short-circuit.
Fix: Check the VIN for recall R/2008/109; the dealer repairs the wiring and fits the missing clip free of charge.
Signs: Clunk from the rear, car sits low on one corner, or corroded spring flagged at inspection.
Fix: Replace rear springs in pairs and check the spring seats.
Signs: Floaty or bouncy ride, oily damper bodies, failed damper test at inspection.
Fix: Replace dampers in axle pairs together with top mounts / bump stops if worn.
Signs: A door will not lock or unlock with the remote, or cannot be opened from inside or outside.
Fix: Remove the door card, check the handle cable and lock motor, replace the lock unit if the motor or microswitch is dead.
Signs: Battery warning light or flat battery (alternator), clicking or slow cranking (starter); low voltage can also cut the power steering.
Fix: Check belt and connections, test charging and cranking, replace or rebuild the faulty unit.
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
Signs: Longer and rougher shifts, pump runs often or for long, gears drop out while driving, gearbox warning and the car stays in neutral
Fix: Check the hydraulic pressure and fluid level; replace the pressure accumulator first if it has lost its charge, otherwise repair or replace the pump / power unit and bleed the system
Signs: Flashing gear display, delayed or skipped gears, fluid loss from the actuator, gear-sensor or lever-switch fault codes
Fix: Find the leak; reseal the actuator (selector rod O-rings), clean or replace the position sensor, top up with the approved hydraulic fluid and run the calibration
Signs: Jerky or juddering pull-away and upshifts, clutch slip, high clutch wear index in diagnostics
Fix: Read the clutch wear index and adaptation values; replace the clutch if outside the range, then reset the wear index and re-learn the kiss point
Typical routine maintenance cost for 100,000 km: €2,400–5,450. Sum of the services and wear parts in the plan above (about 15,000 km a year, independent workshop), without faults.
Intervals and typical prices for the Fiat Grande Punto / Punto with the 1.2 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 Diesel1,248 cm³ · 55 kW (75 hp) | 14.6 % | 2011–2018 | 116 g/km | — |
| 1.2 Diesel1,248 cm³ · 70 kW (95 hp) | 6.5 % | 2011–2018 | 89 g/km | — |
| 1.2 Diesel1,248 cm³ · 62 kW (84 hp) | 5.5 % | 2011–2018 | 92 g/km | — |
| 1.2 Diesel1,248 cm³ | 1.0 % | 2010–2017 | 89 g/km | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (12). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain stretch and tensioner wear (100,000–200,000 km, €800–1,300); electric power steering column fails (torque sensor / EPS unit) (60,000–220,000 km, €350–1,100); turbo variable vanes or actuator sticking (100,000–200,000 km, €150–1,300); injector faults or leaking injector seals (80,000–200,000 km, €200–1,200).
Chain.
5W-30 / 5W-40 · Fiat 9.55535-S1 / dexos2 · ~3.2–3.9 L · every 15,000 km.
1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE0.9 TwinAir1.4 T-Jet / MultiAir (turbo)1.9 JTD / MultiJet / CDTI / TiD (Fiat 1.9 8v / 16v)1.6 / 2.0 MultiJet II (JTDm / DDiS)
Opel Corsa D 2006–2014Opel Corsa E 2014–2019Fiat Panda II 2003–2012Fiat 500X 2014–Alfa Romeo MiTo 2008–2018Fiat 500L 2012–2022Fiat Tipo 2015–Fiat Fiorino / Qubo 2008–Lancia Musa 2004–2012
Main sources for the faults of this engine:
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles. How we check the data →
Updated 29/10/2026