2001 Fiat Punto Sporting from UK and Ireland - Comments

Seats wear badly.

Airbags disabled.

Odometer reset itself.

Wouldn't start.

Air-con system broke down twice.

Sunroof broke down twice.

Seats won't always lock into place when moved.

Rust around the sunroof.

Very bad leak from under car has caused an inch of water to collect in foot-wells everytime it rains.

Seat release catch has come off.

Headlights fill with mist regardless of weather conditions.

Unreliable wiper blades.

Warning lights will randomly come on and then off.

Power steering will randomly disengage.

Car cut out twice on the M1 and nearly killed me, my girlfriend and anyone else using that section of road.

Fiat quite frankly don't give a s**t.

This car has had too many problems to list in its short life. Appauling main dealer support as well (Desira, Hayes, Middlesex)! I will never buy another car from these clowns. Despite being a lovely car to look at id rather zimmer frame, then at least it would do what its supposed to! I have had problem after problem. Fiat warranty doesn't cover water damage and they never have courtesy cars availible. This is a brand new car which has let me down more than my first car, a C regTalbot 'Horizon'. My bank account and I hate my punto sporting and plead to anyone thinking of buying one to reconsider.

Ouch! Looks like you've had a bad experience. Ask for your money back. Desira has a few dealers so speak to them. If they don't co-operate talk to head office. It seems the punto mk1 was more reliable?

I've had a similar number of problems with my 2001 60S. Even though I bought it pre-reg and saved a good amount on list price, it is still depreciating rapidly. Myself and my bank account no longer care - the car is to be flogged this summer, that's if anyone will buy it, as the major rattles, knocks and squeaks would put anyone off. I can see me having to trade it.

Nasty review. I wonder if rivals are allowed to post on these boards... cough cough..

Having owned 2 fiats and had them reliable, your case is... blimey probably the worst I have ever seen or probably ever will see. Even in JD Power survey believe it or not it hot the top 20 most reliable cars!

I can certainly endorse the fact that Fiat Desira Hayes fail to provide courtesy cars. My 1995 Punto has been in their service department for four weeks waiting for them to source a replacement fuel hose, and they still haven't got a courtesy car for me. Why does it take 4 weeks to get a replacement hose? Apparently there aren't any in the UK, and they've asked to get one from Italy, but "it's an old car". So my advice is: don't buy a Fiat if you hope to drive it for more than 7 years.