1994 Fiat Cinquecento S review from UK and Ireland

Hydraulic tappets sometimes stick and are noisy (how I got it cheap, ha-ha!).

Petrol tank replaced 2001 (when someone eventually advised me it was free).

Injector light comes on at 65-70mph.

Front discs and exhaust replaced at 42,000 miles.

Boot lock mechanism broke at 38,000 miles (£18).

The usual annoying knocking sound from the rear suspension!

The Cinquecento is a box on wheels that gets me to where I am going quickly and cheaply. That's all I ask and it delivers accordingly.

I work in the motor industry and my colleagues all drive Mercedes and BMW so I am the butt of a lot of jokes. But I have to travel all over the country and carry a lot of equipment. For this I always have the rear seats down and use the car like a small estate. Once you've done this there is a surprising amount of storage space available. The weight is no problem either, it will pull along on the flat and moderate hills at 75-80 MPH quite easily. Steep hills though, can slow you down a bit.

I keep detailed mileage and fuel records and can easily say that I often get 50mpg, and never below 46mpg.

This car is basic but comfortable even for me and I'm 6'3"! It's nippy around town, easy to park, and very economical.

The only criticism I could make is that apart from 'intermittent' there is only one wiper speed.

I do about 2500 miles a month, not exactly what this car was designed for, but I'm more than happy with it and would buy another.