1993 Fiat Uno Start review from UK and Ireland

Brake pipes rusted - had difficulty getting replacements.

Clutch master cylinder failed - cheap to fix but inconvenient.

Handbrake poor - fitted new cables, brake shoes, wheel cylinders & brake drums, handbrake now OK.

Road wheels (2 No.) rusted out dangerously under wheel covers - only discovered when the tyre started deflating. Second hand replacement wheels bought very cheaply from scrapyard solved this problem.

Head gasket failed on return trip from French holiday. Cost £600 to get home by train without car. Cost £950 to get car fixed in France because french garage insisted on replacing water pump, thermostat, cylinder head and cambelt. Cost another £250 to pick up car & drive it back, since when the exhaust fell apart on trip to Cheshire - only cost £55 to fix this.

The latest problem is difficult cold starting - hoping this is water temp sensor.

Body is rusting badly. Had to fix door bottoms due to perforation & tops of doors also perforated. Cleaned these up & sprayed cavities with Waxoyl. Also sealed junction of window rubbers & window frames. Had to have one flitch plate welded where bonnet closes. Now noticed that sill flanges rusting & rear axle beam rusty, also rust creeping under rear bumper and one rear light. Intend to have these areas cleaned up treated or welded before winter.

Car is really economical on fuel - did 180 miles at 70 MPH on half tank of fuel both ways to Cheshire. Not much acceleration, and slow on hills, but otherwise drives like a much larger car.

Handling reasonably good, but not so good with 4 on board.

The way the seats fold back is brilliant and it's easy to get a bicycle loaded in. Pity the car was not built to last.

I love this car and am hoping to solve its many problems, but I'm worried by how rapidly it is becoming a scarce sight on the roads. Also understanding why this is happening.

So much better looking than the Punto.