1994 Fiat Punto 55S review from UK and Ireland

Clutch very noisy after 30,000, but still working even though no work done on it.

Head gasket blew at 70,000 and again at 96,000. 350 pounds a time. Did get the timing belt replaced the second time. No temperature gauge means you only know the car is running hot when it is too late.

One trailing arm replaced after 4 years, the next the next year.

Rear drums replaced after 94,000.

Speedometer gave random readings after 75,000.

Fuel consumption down to 37mpg.

Heater matrix leaking after 85,000.

Indicator relay works intermittently. Really, it's not a joke. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does nothing.

Good cheap car for the first few years, now marred by things going wrong.

Has carried five people on many trips with ease.

Dealers not great. One in Macclesfield always willing to charge that little bit more. One in Reading took 2 weeks to get a new sump cover and the car was broken into while they had it, then they snapped the key off in the ignition.

I did try to get a new 2000 model, but after waiting for 15 weeks I gave up. The whole dealer network now gone into liquidation. I think it's a coincidence.

I would buy one again, but would rather buy it and service it at a whole different network of garages.