Faults:

In the almost 6 years I had this car I had the following replaced/fixed:

Exhaust - don't know what the prob was, but it was £300 odd to sort out!

Head gasket - product recall thing I think or common fault?

Brake pipes - product recall again?

Bumper - but that was driver error!

Probably had more done. but I can't think of anything else!

General Comments:

Nice car, not too big, not too small. Plenty big enough to get a baby seat in the back. You can even get a bicycle in the boot, with the back seat down!

Colour was fading on the bonnet. Officailly called Rosso Red, a bit pinky.

Windscreen used to freeze inside something chronic. Seems to be the same on the 1999 edition I got last week!

Lovely little car till I wrote it off! May it live long as a donor to other Puntos!

Faults:

Timing belt went.

Radiator blew.75.000 miles.

Head gasket went.75.000 miles.

Body of car damages easily. Have dent.

Window wiper fell off.80.000.

Is very costly due to electronic diagnostics.

Motors in window wiper and car window decided to stop functioning.

Break fluid tube sprung a leak.65.000 miles, causing gear seizure.

Clutch plate nearly collapsed through the floor. 79.00miles.

Plastic fixtures, like seat adjuster and door handles are very brittle, easily affected by frost, general use.

Back window wiper also decided to take early retirement.

General Comments:

I was delighted when I got the car as it looked great, but the problems with it have really depressed me and cost me a lot of money. It has some good points, like fuel economy, and is quite nippy if you are the only one in the car!,but as soon as I get some money I am going to bring this car for a one-way trip to the cliffs of Dover.

Faults:

Wear and tear in some cases excessive.

General Comments:

Unlike older Fiats, this one is more reliable and better looking. I'm afraid though, Fiat still have an awful long way to go before they can match the Japanese cars for ease of driving and build quality. 73,000 miles for a Punto 1.1 is high, whereas for an equivalent Nissan Micra 1.0 this mileage is average.

Gearbox is stiff and clunky, clutch heavy, idle tick over is not at all smooth. Car feels tired but has f/s/h.

Foot rest is too far forward meaning an uncomfortable driving position.

Roomy & it looks good compared to a Fiat Uno!

Faults:

Clutch broke after 2 months of ownership despite pre-delivery inspection by the Fiat dealer who I purchased the car from.

Door seals needed replacing due to water ingress.

Rear suspension radius arms needed work at 32,000 miles. A common fault apparently.

General niggles with the electrics, e.g. I lost count of the number of times I had to replace the rear brake light and number plate light bulbs.

General Comments:

Generally a very comfortable ride, if a little rattly.

Lovely and spacious car which happily accommodates 4 adults and luggage. Ideal car if you need a lot of space for not much money.

Loved pottering about town, less willing on long motorway journeys.

The engine is quite punchy for a 1.1.

Bad points: Lots of minor niggles and problems.

Build quality is atrocious, as is the bodywork - it only needs someone to lean against the car to dent it.