2002 Fiat Scudo from UK and Ireland - Comments

Just picked up the van, having previously test driven it in town. Struggled to get 70mph on motorway (less on slight incline. Checked the handbook and it states 85mph. As its only done 27k I'm disapointed with the performance. Is this normal performance or is there a problem?

It might loosen up a little more as the mileage increases, but you have simply got a very slow car. I think the bhp is around 65, and the weight is something like 1200 kilos. Unless you have the turbo diesel, which should be more than adequate, I don't think there is a problem with the car.

The van gave up the ghost on Monday after 3 days of ownership. I travelled about 3 miles and couldn't get above 20mph, and noticed smoke coming from the exhaust. Luckily it was under warranty, and the dealer was very helpful, sending a driver out to me with a courtecy van.

They phoned me today to tell me that they had to change the exhaust as the catalytic converor was clogged. Hopefully when I collect the van on Thursday it will be OK (fingers crossed)

Well, got the van back on Thursday, and its running fine. Not knowing much about vehicles, I'm a little confused as to why a catalytic converter would need to be changed after 27k.

On the exhaust problem. I had an old Honda Civic (I know it's a PETROL CAR) that began to suffer from loss of power particularly on motorways. I thought I had dirty feul/ blocked filter / dodgy feul pump and tried all sorts to fix it. This problem popped up about 2 years and 25,000 miles after a new exhaust was fitted.

Driving over the mountains one morning to work and managed to pull my back box off on rough roads. Got lots of noise etc. but picked up the box only to find the inside rotting to bits.

Got a replacement and the difference in power was unreal.

If your exhaust is even partially blocked it can trap moisture in the engine, muck up your compression ratios, prevent exhaust gasses from escaping and all of these can make it difficult for the engine to fire up (diesel AND petrol alike). Sounds like the scudos come with dodgy exhaust systems...

I have never rated Fiats, I only ever had one before and that was a real let down, but I was stuck and needed a good van, couldent get a Poor jo expoert or a citreon for love nor money so I took the plunge.

I bought a 20001 Scudo combinato 2ltr JTD EL, earlier this year, it had done just over 100,000 miles, I have had it only 6 months, but I have done roughly 12000 miles in it, and it has drove faultlessly, it goes like a bat out of hell, when that Turbo kicks in, returns nearer to 50 MPG, and the space inside is cavernous.

I know its early days, but so far I love it, it's a belter of of a workbus and you got six seats as well. The body is galvanized, and shows not one speck of rust, the interior is like new, I Just can't fault it. I am considering going for Fiats new Scudo van, if it's a good as this one, ile buy it.