2000 Fiat Brava 80 SX review from UK and Ireland

Persistent leaking sunroof, changed sunroof, will not stop.

Every year, air bag light on over winter months, dealer cannot tell me why, gave up trying to fix it.

Sometimes will not engage 1st gear (clutch fault) Personally I can live with it until the clutch needs replacing.

Front seat swabs soft on sides and now unsupportive.

Misfire (this engine seems to eat spark plugs).

Interior door handles peeling.

Being a mechanic I drive many different cars on a daily basis and get used to individual manufacturers faults.

I can tell you that although the brava (or mine at least) is not put together too badly, there are a few small things that nag you on a daily basis like the fiddly fuel cap, poor visibility past front pillars, being unable to judge distance in rear view mirror very accurately, bodywork dents very easily and paintwork is not very robust.

The faults I have experienced seem to be quite common ones and I imagine would be a nightmare to live with if you were not in the trade.

Dealers are few and far between and parts are quite expensive and I have found some simple parts are only availably from the dealers - ie exhaust, brake pipes.

Overall it is a great little car, better quality than some others of its age, a nice shape, offers a good ride and has good performance from its small 1.2 litre engine. For what you will pay for one, they are a cracking little car.