Faults:

Maintenance-Free Battery is not available in any of the car accessories or batteries shop in Malaysia. Fiat Malaysia sells Fiat Punto, but does not carry original spare parts. As a last resort, I have to replace with water-based battery that Fiat Malaysia carries which is much under-powered. I was further disappointed to find out from the Fiat service staff that I have to constantly check and fill water every 2 weeks. Further, the steel plate holding the battery is designed only for maintenance-free batteries, and is not suitable for water-based batteries. This is because in order to fill water into the battery, the steel plate will have to be unscrewed every 2 weeks to open the battery caps. Such inefficiencies defeats the convenience which the new technology of Fiat Punto is being designed to satisfy customer needs.

Difficulties in obtaining replacement of battery was not made known to me at the point when I purchased the car, but instead was being misrepresented by the Fiat salesman who mentioned that Fiat uses maintenance-free batteries operated cars which are designed for the convenience of drivers.

Another flaw is that the original size of the Punto tyres is not available in the Malaysia market and not even Fiat, Malaysia carries that. One of the tyres of my car punctured and had to be replaced. To my surprise and disappointment, I was informed by Fiat service centre here that the replacement tyres are not imported. Hence, I had to replace either all 4 or at least 2 of the tyres with non-original imported tyres of different size in addition to the extra unnecessary costs incurred. This occured when my tyre was only 10 month's old and traveled less than 20,000 kilometers.

The radio and air-conditional boards rattled.

General Comments:

Unless and until such problems are ironed out, I would not consider buying a second Fiat car nor recommend Fiat cars to others.

Instead, I would forewarn them of the inconvenience and inefficiencies in having Fiat cars.

Faults:

Both front seats didn't tilt and slide when delivered.

Bonnet both front wings and both front doors where out of line when delivered.

Electronic control unit replaced at 1500 miles.

All side mouldings fell off 1500 miles.

Rear seat backs rattled never fixed correctly.

Dash and radio rattled, again never fixed.

Rear stereo speakers and covers never fitted properly and rattled.

Rear quarter lights never fitted properly and rattled.

Passenger front seat tilt and slide mechanism failed and was replaced.

Electronic power steering failed whilst driving and was replaced.

Both rear shock absorbers became noisy and was replaced.

I could only get 2-3 litres off fuel in before the pump gun clicked of this problem was never solved.

Numerous rattles from inside and out most of which were never solved.

General Comments:

Good looking car excellent features.

Poor build quality and no quality control at factory.

Suspension to stiff for British roads.

Ride and ride height very poor compared to other similar makes.

1242 8v engine pretty good, but a bit noisy at medium to high revs and a bit lumpy at low revs due to emission laws.

Interior very well thought out, but poorly put together.

Fuel economy very good.

Road noise very intrusive.

Faults:

Exhaust has started to 'bang' as I pull away fast.

The Sat Navigation cuts out sometimes.

General Comments:

What a car!

I only picked the car up two days ago, but wow!

The car leaves 'fast' cars in its wake.

Now OK I am only 22yrs old so this seems fast to me, but it might not to the older driver, but it is a lot of fun.

The Sat Navigation seems to cut out when it wants to, but this is being sorted by the garage.

The car will propel you from 0-60mph in 8.6secs (manufacture claims), but it seems a whole lot faster! and it will take you to 130mph easily.

So don't just sit there! Go buy one, someone told me these are hard to come by, maybe something to do with the group 15 (!) insurance group, but you will not regret it!