Faults:

Bearing in mind I only passed my test a week ago so have only been driving this car properly for a week...

Water Pump broken.

Hole in the radiator (was only replaced 15 months ago)

Leak in the window washer tubes somewhere.

Although this one was partly my own fault, I hit a stationary corsa at about 2 miles an hour and my drivers side wing literally crumpled to almost half the size!!! slightly scary thinking what if it was 60 miles an hour!

Button on hand brake has "popped" in. So basically I have to stick my thumb literally into the handbrake to push the button.

Engine overheated due to leaks.

General Comments:

I find the car quick off the mark and have beaten a lot of people when pulling off at traffic lights etc. Only down-point of that is, if you're like me and you rev first gear a bit to get away, the engine really does sound like it's going to explode!!!

Handles very well, only difficulty is when going slow during parking etc as it has no power steering!

Steering wheel starts shaking at around 70mph then when you get to 80mph you literally feel yourself shaking, although I've been told I just need to get it rebalanced and all will be fine.

Sometimes getting into 2nd gear is a job as it just sort of sticks and won't let me in!

No glove compartment, but that's not really a big problem for me.

Definately a good first car!!

Fiat advertised this car to women when it first came out, but I think its for men and women, but its better if you have small feet!!! The pedals are very small and quite close together.

Mine drinks quite a bit of petrol, but I've been told that's due to me revving it in first gear too much, so I'm trying my hardest not to do that and see if it makes any difference!!!

Very spacious even though it looks small. Anyone who has dared to come in the car with me has instantly commented on how much space there is inside!

Overall a very good car, I would recommend mine to anyone, only advice I would give is make sure the person you are buying it off is telling you the 100% truth and all service history documents etc are available as repairs are quite expensive!

Faults:

A new bolt for the back wheel so it would stop rattling.

General Comments:

Really nice to drive feels like loads of power for a 1.1i the car seems to have quite a bit of talk as well. the seats are really nice I have the sporting model with this model I have sports seats and they are really comfy and you can adjust them to nearly any angle. for a small car inside feels like loads of room. again the car excelerats really good!. if you can get one get one!!!

Faults:

Since I have had my cinquecento sporting I had a recall on the fuel tank, which was replaced no problem free of charge.

My exhaust was terribly rusted at the rear and needed repaired. Also there was a break in it. This cost £123 for the part. £179 supplied and fitted, quite pricy I thought for such a small car.

I have replaced the fan belt, not too expensive, more on the labour as it's awkward to get to, as is most things under the bonnet.

My window wipers ceased up, no new parts needed, but £35 to take apart and reassemble.

Three new tyres, one was beveled. The cheapest I can get seems to be £33 plus v.a.t.

The wheel bearings have been done at only 22000 miles. I've been told this probably shouldn't have happened so soon.

My latest problem is with the cooling system. The fan was staying on too long, then not at all. I needed a part for this. I must have had a build up of pressure in my system and this has caused my radiator to blow various holes which won't fix. I'm dreading getting a price for the radiator in the morning, if it's in stock. I'll probably have to wait a few days.

I've been told i'll probably have to replace the radius arm too.

General Comments:

POSITIVES

This car is very reliable, starts no bother, doesn't use too much fuel, is very economical and is relatively cheap to insure.

NEGATIVES

Costly for genuine parts which most of the time you'll probably need.