1997 Fiat Brava SX review from UK and Ireland

Power-steering rack spewed oil from one end, replaced at 10 months old.

Stereo unit began playing cassettes at high speed, sounded like 'pinky & perky', replaced at 11 months old. Radio reception is now dreadful & tapes tend to get stuck.

Front offside window stuck open, trim was replaced at 11 months.

Sunroof sounding like a demented budgie when closed, caused by pop-up wind deflector rubbing against glass panel, no cure found yet.

Drivers seat sounding like a demented mouse, seat height adjuster mechanism seems likely cause, comes and goes much like the sunroof noise!

Brake warning light flashing, then on all the time. Fluid level sender replaced to fix at 18 months.

Clutch slave cylinder leaked away all the fluid (combined with brake reservoir!!) and was replaced at 24 months.

Fuel gauge began to dive for the red, finally packed up with the low fuel light on permanently, sender unit replaced at 28 months.

Both rear gas shocks were leaking oil, failed MOT, replaced at 48 months.

Exhaust has sheared off mid point, total replacement the only option as it's a one-piece system. £170 at 50 months.

Rear wiper developing a problem, chattering contacts when off, reluctant to operate and getting worse, any bright idea's?

My previous Fiat was a Punto 55s, nothing went wrong whatsoever in 9 months of ownership, nor the following 3 years with the next owner.

This is a stark contrast to my Brava which seems to be thrown together using sub-standard parts that last just long enough to see out the miserly warranty (or not quite in some cases) and spoil a perfectly nice stylish car.

Fiat dealers are thin on the ground, good ones are rare as rocking horse droppings, haven't found one yet in 3 years! Found a really dreadful one though, the manager does not want to know if you did not buy it from them, and the service is so poor that I never intend to return, despite my cars apparent homing instinct!