Faults:

Battery died, but that was my fault for leaving the radio on! Easily sorted, but apart from that nothing else has gone wrong.

General Comments:

I got my car on an M plate for £750. Bargain!

At the moment I'm learning in it and it is an ideal first car.

Being a student, money is scarce. But the group 1 insurance is a god send!

So far only the essential modifications have taken place. this includes stereo upgrade and filling the boot (if you can call it that!) with a sub and amp.

Faults:

Gearbox bearing, bushes worn leaking oil went - £500

Catalytic Converter £500

Radiators x 2

Usual exhaust.

General Comments:

Considering the mileage done and the hammering it has had over the years the performance hasn't been that bad.

It has very good handling.

Indifferent heater.

Don't expect creature comforts.

Faults:

Hydraulic tappets sometimes stick and are noisy (how I got it cheap, ha-ha!).

Petrol tank replaced 2001 (when someone eventually advised me it was free).

Injector light comes on at 65-70mph.

Front discs and exhaust replaced at 42,000 miles.

Boot lock mechanism broke at 38,000 miles (£18).

The usual annoying knocking sound from the rear suspension!

General Comments:

The Cinquecento is a box on wheels that gets me to where I am going quickly and cheaply. That's all I ask and it delivers accordingly.

I work in the motor industry and my colleagues all drive Mercedes and BMW so I am the butt of a lot of jokes. But I have to travel all over the country and carry a lot of equipment. For this I always have the rear seats down and use the car like a small estate. Once you've done this there is a surprising amount of storage space available. The weight is no problem either, it will pull along on the flat and moderate hills at 75-80 MPH quite easily. Steep hills though, can slow you down a bit.

I keep detailed mileage and fuel records and can easily say that I often get 50mpg, and never below 46mpg.

This car is basic but comfortable even for me and I'm 6'3"! It's nippy around town, easy to park, and very economical.

The only criticism I could make is that apart from 'intermittent' there is only one wiper speed.

I do about 2500 miles a month, not exactly what this car was designed for, but I'm more than happy with it and would buy another.

Faults:

The only major thing has been an overheating problem a few thousand miles ago. It needed the cylinder head repaired, but wasn't that expensive.

It needed a new handbrake cable at about the same time.

It has needed the tracking sorted a few times, and has gone through a few tyres because of this, but I live up a rough track in Wales, so it's probably that.

General Comments:

This car is absolutely fantastic. It is hilariously fun to drive, easy to park, comfortable, goes well considering the engine size, and is very reliable.

It can be a bit noisy, especially wind noise, but it's not too bad.

If more than two people are in it, it can be slow, and there are regular complaints from those sitting in the back, but I don't have people in it that often. It's roomy enough for my mountain bike with the seats down, which is a bonus.

Servicing and parts are reasonably cheap, and tax and insurance are low.

The only worry I have is the safety of the car should I have an accident in it.