I have owned an Uno 45 Fire 1.0 1988 vintage for five years. In all that time, and nearly 60,000 miles (20 thou on the clock when I bought it) it has only ever let me down once when the wiring under the distributor cap wore away. It was cheap to fix and was running fine again the next day.

The only items I have paid for in keeping this car on the road, other than consumables, have been steering rod gaitors (x2) and a wheel bearing.

It is not a fast car, nor is it glamourous. It is, however, the most reliable vehicle I know of. Rust has never really been a problem, although signs are appearing on the passenger door.

I rarely clean it; it gets a decent service once a year from my local (non-Fiat) garage; for short to medium distance runs, and as a reliable town car, I would heartily recommend this vehicle.

Tom from UK

I've got a 1987 Fiat Uno 45 with the fire engine (it also has attractive uno45 decals up the side - nice!).

It's my first car, I bought it last year from a vicar's son. It runs perfectly and I am more than happy with it. The first MOT I took it for, it failed and it cost £215 to get right. Since then nothing major has gone wrong with it. The choke cable snapped (but it was the man from the AA who yanked it until it did and they wonder why I don't want to rejoin).

It's a fantastic little vehicle.

Phil (UK)

PS, the car's name is Doris.

Not neccessarily the case re 1st owner. My wifes 1st owner Uno Mia rusted before I could blink an eye - and I mean RUSTED - everywhere and within 24 months and under 15,000 KMs. Still got the car and in everyday use. Goes like the proverbial bomb, but the rust is disgusting!! Live in a sea side city in R.S.A. every Uno you see has rust in exactly the same places. That should tell you something about the manufacture!!