Faults:

Please help, Fiat Tipo 1.4 i.e. Why have I only got front brakes? Rear brakes don't work fully, handbrake is fine, but nothing on the pedal. Bled them thorough, newish shoes, no leaky pipes or cylinders, tried everything.

If you have an answer, please mail me at richardcompton@hotmail.co.uk, much appreciated. Urgent as I must get it MoT'd.

General Comments:

Great other than that, in all aspects.

Faults:

Wheel rims leaking due to rust.

General Comments:

Car is quick off mark.

Could have done with higher ratio gears as hits red line to quick trough 1st to 3rd.

Car still has no surface rust even though had deep scratch on rear quarter panel.

Faults:

The reliability seems to flounder with every service. Head gasket blew very recently after a catalog of engine stall problems.

The electrics are the imagination of Leland and alternator, starter motor and earthing problems are a constant bottomless pit into which much money has been thrown.

My Father-in-law has the same model and his has now developed the same starting/cutting out for no reason problems.

General Comments:

Must be to do with M reg Tipo. I had years of happy motoring with my previous Fiat Panda.

Has anyone out there got the same problems relating to this year? If I could only have reliability for more than three months I would be a happy man indeed. I've decided to cut my loss it and sell if anyone wants it!

Faults:

They have some electrical problems.

I have some problems with the suspension, especially in the front.

General Comments:

I really enjoy driving this car.

It has a comfortable cabin, specially a big space with well finished seats.

The model 1.6 SX has a complete instrument panel.

Faults:

Nothing but normal maintenance.

General Comments:

It's a good car, my second one. It's a "small Tempra", cheaper and as comfortable. It runs like hell (2.0 engine only).

Faults:

Almost everything. The car was in a fairly poor state when I got it (for a low price). But the problems have been continuous, among others:

- Gearbox is hard and cracks loudly when the car is cold.

- Ignition is very difficult in cold weather.

- Several leakages of diesel.

- Electric windows would not close anymore.

- Severl little failures inside the cabin (material used inside the car is of very poor quality and things tend to break easily).

General Comments:

The car was cheap. Although it is not very old, it is more of a kind of early eighties car by this poor overall quality.

Car shows low running costs though, as its consumption is very reasonable (but it is also very very slow!). Moreover, spare parts are easily available and very cheap (at least in France).

Faults:

A lot of minor problems electrically, such as bulbs blowing all the time. Suspension failure on the rear left.

General Comments:

Generally this car has been very reliable, it has not failed me yet and is very comfortable for the engine size.

Faults:

Fuse box had to be replaced.

Flexi centre piece of exhaust had to be modified to fit when needed to be replaced.

General Comments:

Generally a good all round family car. I was a bit surprised when I had problems with the electrics, but was informed that this is not uncommon with Tipos. The car still holds its stylish looks, even in 2000! It's a pity that there is no real resale value for this type of car as FIAT have that name from the past. I picked this car up for £5,300Ir a couple of years ago, and will not see much above half this when I decide to sell it this year!