2000 Fiat Seicento Reviews

My head gasket gone, and I've been having problems since I got it.

It's a good little car, but would not go for one again.

It's not the best of cars.

Continual problems with the brakes from new. Front and rear brakes always became stuck while parked during wet or cold weather - even if the car was only left for a couple of days.

Front brakes regularly found to be binding - the pads became stuck in the calipers causing the car to noticeably pull to one side when braking - very dangerous in emergency situations.

The handbrake was purely ornamental, with adjustment required every few thousand miles. I gave up getting it fixed in the end and just left it in gear!

Failed it's MOT each time - on brakes. MOT tester was always scathing about Fiat brakes.

Fuel tank sprang a leak - covered by a poorly publicised, almost secret recall.

At around 45k - it started to continually cut out at low revs (junctions and roundabouts). Eventually diagnosed as a faulty RPM sensor which was unavailable for months. This meant I couldn't drive it safely, so I had to use another car. Six months after it was replaced, the RPM sensor failed again - this time the car cut out while I was overtaking at 70mph. Only luck saved me from a very serious accident.

These problems were compounded by the poor dealer network which has questionable standards, yet sky-high prices.

Worst of all - when I complained about the faults my car had suffered (especially my near death experience!), Fiat UK weren't remotely bothered. Their appalling attitude means I would never touch a modern Fiat again.

The problems I experienced are such a shame, because the Seicento should be a brilliant car - it's got real character. The design is great, the execution isn't.

Great handling - leagues ahead of standard version (front anti-roll bar makes a huge difference).

Fairly good MPG - usually around 43mpg.

Probably one the fastest cars with a 1.1 engine - especially if revved quite hard. Very smooth engine (sounded good too, even with standard exhaust!) - easily capable of 100mph. Pulled better from 80-100 than it did from 50-70!

Even though it's supposed to be a town car - I always found it far better out of town, on a back road with lots of bends! The radiator is too small for town use - the cooling fan constantly went on and off in traffic.

Very good seats, albeit the driving position was slightly offset.

Interior lasted well - funky design with fantastic rev counter on top of dash.

Good sounding Sony CD player as standard.

A characterful, fun car, let down by dodgy build, poor dealers and couldn't-care-less importer. Quite tragic really.

Major:

1. CV joint started leaking after 3 years.

Nothing else!

Minor:

1.Door seals on rare occasions leak some rainwater (small amount).

2. Car radio after 3 years started to give faults with faulty connection - cuts out in mid stream.

Though I do low mileage, mainly around town (as intended for a car like this), I have had remarkably few problems over 4 years.

Great for town driving, great on the motorway, but not great for minor roads (poor overtaking power, poor high speed cornering and poor road holding etc.)

Interior and exterior design great, best looking small car in my opinion, but build quality barely average - yet fine for the price you are paying.

Good room in the front, acceptable in the back for children. Adults in the back is fine for short journeys.

Great mpg, 40 to 45 around town.

Cheap to insure as 899cc engine.

Overall an excellent town car if you want good looks, cheap purchase and low running costs! Unbeatable for this.