2000 Fiat Brava HSX review from UK and Ireland

After 1 week it suddenly cut out at traffic lights. I got it started again after a couple of attempts, but then the engine took on a mind of it's own and started revving past the 2,000 RPM barrier.

At the 12,000 mile mark I suddenly heard a knocking noise coming from the engine. It turned out that an inner component disintegrated and spat itself out through the gearbox casing at a high velocity. The gearbox required replacing. The clutch also was replaced due to gearbox change.

The suspension had it's erratic squeaky moments.

I loved this car to bits until the gearbox died. Unfortunately the treatment I received from the dealership was abysmal. It took H.B. Dennis 15 days to return my car. The gear change is stiff and a far cry from the original. Fiat Ireland paid 66% of the cost of the parts, but nothing towards labour. This left me £700 out of pocket. I tried on numerous occasions to contact Fiat Ireland, but they never returned my calls. After a letter from me threatening to sue I was contacted immediately and my £700 was refunded. Some faith was restored in Fiat, but steer miles clear from H.B. Dennis. Fiat need to audit their dealers more closely and insist on some customer care courses for the likes of H.B.Dennis.