1999 Fiat Punto 60S from UK and Ireland - Comments

There was a minor problem with the driver's door lock. This was fixed under warranty.

The rear washer hose stopped working.

Thermostat failed causing the head gasket to blow at 47000 miles.

The gear box has not aged well.

Although I have had the problems listed, it has still been a very reliable and economical car to own. For a full tank I get 400 - 450 miles.

The front of the car is very roomy, without taking too much space away from rear passengers.

I have a 3 door model and with the rear seats down there is a surprising amount of room.

Hi there! This is the second fiat punto mark 1 verson I've owned, both I loved to bits, but seem to have the inhernt faults of cylinder head gaskets going at about 3 years noisy gearboxes, my friends car, same reg, 'R reg' gear box just failed, faulty steering bushes and stearing column switches and jamming seat belts, besides this a 'fab' little car, a good runner and never lets me down.. ie starts and runs in any weather, every time nifty and fun to drive.

Yours Jeff Coulson.

I bought a 3 year old 13,000 miles Punto 60S in 2001 and will sell it in 2005 at around 70,000 miles.

It's a nice car to drive, and good looking.

Build quality has been a problem. In the time I have owned it the clutch has worn out; the thermostat silently failed at around 55,000 miles, which meant that the head gasket went a couple of thousand miles later; the gearbox had to be changed shortly after, and the clutch was very worn at that time. The rear windscreen wiper developed a fault, and the passenger door rattles.

Bodywork has held up fairly well, although it has been parked outside: no complaints on this.

This is the second Fiat I have owned. But I fear that Fiat quality control has slipped. I will not buy another.

I've also found servicing at Fiat main dealers has become very expensive here in the UK lately -- I am unsure why, as it used to be fine.

I agree with everything here.

I have just bought 1998 Punto 60S with 42000 miles and before I got it home it required a new cylinder head and gasket, thermostat, water pump, replacement timing belt and tensioner unit.

The heavy doors drop and don't sit correctly without slamming them and the seatbelts jam if you pull them too fast. The headlights and tail lights have also failed and required a full round of bulbs.

The clutch doesn't have much life left in it for such a low mileage car.

The rear washer pours water into the boot and the roof mounted aerial leaks.

Despite this it's a fun car to drive and cheap to run, so always buy a cheap one that's had everything done on it already!!

I have a 1996 P reg Punto 55SX.

The car has tilt steering front fogs, height adjustable drivers seat, tacho, central locking and a remote boot release. A high spec for such a cheap car.

I struggle to get 330 miles from a tankful of fuel, but do drive it fairly hard. I have found the car fairly reliable, but have changed : Internal heater matrix, head gasket, front wheel bearings, rear trailing arm bearings and the sump!

To be fair the car has done 102000 miles.Don't worry about service costs, these cars are a cinch to work on, get the Haynes book and have a go.

Have an HGT Punto, timing belt snapped at 41k.. lot of damage done to the head, and costing big money, which is what Fiat want..

Never touch a Fiat, Alfa, Kia, or any car made by Fiat again. Back to Fix It Again Tomorrow. No wonder they made 40 million on parts last year.. if you've a problem with Fiat Puntos, don't contact Fiat, cuz they couldn't care less.. customer service, yeah right!!!