2000 Fiat Punto ELX JTD review from UK and Ireland

Paint defects on off-side front door on delivery.

Rear washer inoperative from new.

Glove box catch faulty from new.

Doors difficult to shut (need a considerable slam).

Water stain to interior roof lining from new. Transpired a drain hose from the sunroof had not been connected in the factory. Had a replacement lining, but this was not fitted correctly so had to have further work!

Nearside rear shock absorber leaked at 4000 miles (a dangerous defect).

Suffers from carbon stains on rear valence (from exhaust).

Faulty windscreen wipe motor replaced at 7000 miles.

Rusty nearside front door at 7000 miles.

Car was off-the-road for 30 days in its first year!

Amazing engine. Superb torque at next-to-no revs. Always gives acceleration regardless of the selected gear. Can push the car along at 1500 rpm, yet also goes up to normal petrol engine limits (although there's no extra power up there!) so little to be gained above 3500 rpm. Fantastic economy; 60+ mpg is not difficult and 70+ perfectly possible. Would expect overall average around 60mpg.

Low cost of ownership.

Everything else though is pretty poor.

Ride is appallingly hard for this sort of car.

Made mistake of buying 3 door model (cheaper and fewer possible rust points) but front doors are too wide and access to rear is difficult.