Faults:

New clutch - (85K miles)

Drive shaft boot needed replaced - (85 -92k miles)

Cylinder head gasket - fixed, not replaced. (92k miles)

Fan seized - rock salt best suggestion. (103k miles)

Temperature sensor - £10 from Fiat dealer. (103k miles)

Cylinder head rings? - 'cylinders 1 and 2 were fighting each other', as explained by the mechanic. (103k miles)

Near side shock absorber - (104k miles)

Seats are beginning to show signs of wear, although this is to be expected of a car that is above 100K miles and is approaching 8 years old.

Drivers seat belt tensioner is sometimes faulty. Sticks in certain positions and eventually frees itself.

General Comments:

As I am taller than most people I was initially restricted in my choice of vehicle when learning to drive, lack of leg space was proving a serious issue. The punto accommodated my long legs, and is even comfortable.

Despite this car being a 1.2 8v, it is nippy - wouldn't say its fast, but can be quick off the line. Beaten a Saxo VTR on numerous occasions.

Cabin is quite pleasant to look at, doesn't look too cheap and nasty.

I personally find it a very comfortable car to drive, although my knee can get sore on longer journeys - possibly my oversizedness.

The fuel consumption is decent. I typically get between 80 to 100 miles per £10 of fuel. This translates to around 29 - 36 mpg in old money. Obviously this changes depending on the preferred method of driving... foot heavy or IAM style.

I have never been to a dealer for servicing as I my own mechanic. Although there have been several costs involved with this car, its nothing too excessive and comes part and parcel of motoring. When compared to some of the repairs I hear about from my friends it nothing.

Lastly, the insurance in my case for this car is reasonable. Due to my age (now 20) I am a named driver on this car. However, I pay the entire cost of insuring it which is currently £390. Three drivers, myself and my parents.

Overall, it's a decent car, may have some issues, but which car out there doesn't.

The only real downside I can think of regarding this car is it handling ability going round corners. If you drive in a cautious manner on faster roads, you will be unlikely to have an issue regarding its 'cornering ability'. However, if you try to keep a progressive style of driving you may feel uneasy as the high speed, twisted road cornering ability can best be described as 'A brick on an 80's skateboard'.

Just remember, every fiat is half alfa!

Faults:

Rear exhaust section replaced at 35,000 miles.

Heater matrix replaced at 70,000 miles due to leakage.

Cylinder head gasket replaced at 73,000 miles.

Rear brake pipes replaced at 73,000 miles due to corrosion.

Rear suspension strut replaced at 75,000 miles.

General Comments:

Plenty of room for a car of this size.

Economical to run.

Heater matrix is badly designed, requires the removal of entire dashboard, radio and steering wheel to get at it.

Has poor build quality, paintwork and plastic on interior suffers from marks and scratches over time. Air duct from the air filter to the exhaust manifold had to be replaced as the original was a cheap card type of ducting.

Fiat FIRE 8v engine seems to suffer with cylinder head gasket failure.

No signs of corrosion on bodywork, although the rear brake pipes had to be replaced due to corrosion, replaced as part of Fiat recall.

Faults:

The e.c.u computer failed and had to be replaced, they cost £600! I got one from a breakers yard for £160.

Cam belt sensor failed, cost £100 to replace and fit.

Fuses have blown on a few occasions leaving me stranded!

General Comments:

This car is very cheap on fuel and I think can do about 45 miles per gallon, the steering is quite hard to use (there is no power steering). electrical faults are supposed to be a common theme among-st fiat's and so the punto continues this tradition.

Quite scary whilst driving on motorways when over taking trucks as the whole car loses control from high winds around trucks!

Even though all these problems I have to say you really feel like your driving in this car - theirs no fancy electronics and its dirt cheap to run, however the electrical problems do let this car down.

Equipment levels are very basic and seem like from a bygone era! still looks great especially in silver with body color bumpers.