Faults:

Slightly uneven/hesitant acceleration from new. Not serious enough to worry about, but reported at 12k service. Dealer recommended and supplied fuel additive to clean lambda sensor. Seemed to help, but quickly reverted.

At 14k, car refused to start, towed to dealer, who replaced plugs, reckons I flooded it. Possibly true but I am a little concerned that the engine is still a little uneven, and although it starts 1st time, it doesn't always sound as though it's going to!

Front tyres and brake pads replaced at 15k miles. Discs also supposedly within 0.1mm of spec, but not replaced this time. Rear washer tube blew off after use when frozen - I fixed this, but front and rear washers now work in tandem! WHY?!!

General Comments:

Lovely driver's car, spoilt by suspect reliability and costs. A little firm and the handling, though sharp, is flawed. The professionals claim the steering and brakes are over-assisted but they suit me personally much better than those of, say, the Focus. I do find the performance a little lacking, though the engine is lovely to rev, so good progress if driven eagerly. Heating & ventilation superb for this class, though A/C is becoming the norm now.

I got the car for a good price, and insurance is low, but the fuel consumption, tyre and (especially) brake wear are all a little high. Perhaps the latter reflect my driving style and the country roads I use, but I suspect that with depreciation it's not going to prove to be particularly cheap to run.

Like all Fiats (I've used 131s, Uno, Marea and Bravo extensively) the simpler the better, and I don't think I'd have been so impressed had I splashed out on something higher up the range.

Faults:

At 12,000 miles / 15 months from registration the airbag warning light has come on. At the 12,000 mile service a gasket seal was replaced. After the service the car drove like new.

General Comments:

Bought the car in Jan 99 as pre-registered (August 98) by the garage, hence saved £2,500+ on the list price. Nice looking car, drives well. Concerned about the airbag problem, we'll see what transpires...

Faults:

No problems in 18 months, using car for a driving school at 50K per year.

General Comments:

1st class car for all types of drivers.

Faults:

Headlamp bulb blew.

Horn packed up.

General Comments:

Very pleased indeed with the car, smart, roomy and excellent in traffic and very stable on icy roads, first-class driving position. Here in Finland Fiat offers 3yr unlimited kms guarantee, if it offered the same elsewhere they'd be a massive hit. I can recommend one esp as the new 16v engine is quieter and more economical than the 1.4. Buy one!

Faults:

Rattles and squeaks from dash and door. Poor fitting drivers door window seal.

General Comments:

Stunning looking car - far better than the Ford Focus & new Golf. Great handling, very fast for a diesel.

Why can't they improve on the interior quality of the plastics, this will stop the rattles. Fiat sort it out!

Faults:

Car kept cutting out at approx 200 mile intervals, when changing from 3rd to 2nd gear, between going back to dealer for replacement of sensors etc.

Finally, I rejected the first and negotiated a replacement. After 150 miles, the new replacement car began to cut out and rev irratically when idling.

I then rejected this car, sending it back on a low loader, and demanded my money back!!!!

General Comments:

I believe there is an inherent problem with the 1.4 engine, as I've read similar reports of cutting out in Auto Express, but Fiat are not recognising it. Pity because overall the car is very stylish.

Useful to note the implied terms of the Sales of Goods Act i.e. 'Satisfactory Quality' to reject a car if it seems a car was supplied with an inherent defect which affects its durability.