2001 Fiat Punto HLX review from UK and Ireland

Exhaust fell off.

Headlamps misted severely in cold/damp weather.

Trim under glove box fell off.

Engine became excessively smoky under hard acceleration.

Fuel gauge erratic.

Uneven tyre wear.

All electrics in passenger door (mirror, window, illumination) packed up due to an electrical short.

Boot leaked.

Bought privately as a one owner, full main dealer historied car. Nothing but trouble from day 1.

I would expect to have to replace the exhaust on a 5 year old car. However, I would not expect £1,000 worth of fuel system work on an 80k diesel engine (2 new injectors and an ECU recode needed) as the engine began to smoke heavily under load from about 6 months in. I also wouldn't expect the constant niggling problems - this was a car that ALWAYS had at least one thing wrong with it.

HLX trim is very generous. Plush velour seats, air-conditioning, CD player, electric windows and mirrors etc. It's still a sharp looking little car as well, and at 2 and a bit k at 5 years old, is a lot of late-ish car for the money. Although it lacks the muscle of a current generation diesel, the 1.9 JTD engine is surprisingly perky, reasonably refined, and returns about 48 mpg in daily use. It's a good drive.

Sadly, several weeks of ownership shows why they're cheap. Total rubbish and never again. Not a patch on a Fiesta or even a Corsa.