Faults:

Not much, just a replacement alternator; the side wall corroded due to a design flaw. The scuttle panel water run off can drip directly onto the casing.

Other than an alternator, the only parts I've had to change are consumables. The car really hasn't let me down other than the alternator issue.

General Comments:

Very, very reliable and a nice place to sit in the Sporting trim. It's not the most powerful, it's sporting in name only, but it's a city car really and does that job superbly, especially with the City Steering option which is just fantastic when parking. I'm really struggling to find a reason to part with it. Just do the engine oil and filter EVERY year, on the button, and it will look after you.

Faults:

Near side tail light wiring plug corrosion, causing tail

lights to flash instead of the indicator.

Crank sensor failure, causing poor starting, no rev counter and loss of power.

Heater resistor burning out.

12v power socket stopped working.

General Comments:

Got the car at 47000 miles, 56 plate for 2500. Great value for money. Moderately comfortable.

There are only two things that let the car down, and they are the electrics and the fact that it is very easy to lock the keys in the boot, as the only way to unlock the boot from the outside is with the key.

One plus is that the stereo has an aux function that can be used if you buy a simple cable that can be easily plugged in to the back of the unit, and fed through the front with no hassle of damaging the fascia.

Faults:

Door lock disintegrated the day after I got it home. Taken to the local Fiat dealer (driving whilst holding the door shut is not an experience I would like to repeat).

Alternator packed up.

EGR valve broke in January 2013. New one became clogged and 'sooted up' within 4-5 months, and had to be taken to pieces and cleaned to stop strange kangarooing and twitchy driving style.

Alloy wheels corroded (water gets behind the lacquer on the polished rims). A well known fault on the early models.

Engine computer says to check spark plugs - then changed its mind and said 'check engine'.

Battery fuse blown - engine management light is now on continually.

Door sills have now 'moved' or perished as there seems to be a blowing noise at anything over 40mph.

Engine has a rather agricultural sound when idle/cold, and can take a while to quieten down.

General Comments:

Even though things have gone wrong with this car, it hasn't been a money pit or suffered many of the hideous problems that I read about before buying. I still enjoy driving it, and like getting into it every day.

It's punchy and quick, and has lots of pull in all gears. Economical too; my daily commute is a mixture of A & B roads with a small blip of dual carriageway, and it returns over 40 MPG all the time. A more recent long haul trip, loaded to hilt, including the dog, and it still returned 54 MPG.

Was great in the snow too, leave it in 3rd gear, take your time and it would go anywhere.

It's easy to park and the 'city button' is handy in some of the tight UK multi story car parks.

The styling is fantastic and I love the look of it. Mine is chemical grey, which has a deep shine when polished and was the colour I wanted it in.

Seats are very comfortable, supportive and everyone comments on the quirky 'bubbles' that make up the pattern. Bolsters have so far suffered no signs of wear and the seats look like new.

Interior is a nice place to be and there are no rattles or squeaks (apart from the boot lid), but nothing from the dash.

Chunky leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake make for nice touches.

Blue & Me system - whilst it can be a touch temperamental and doesn't play anything other than MP3, it's a good piece of technology, and the pairing of the phone and voice controls work well.

Overall the car drives very well and I've been very happy with it.

I like the look and the styling, and the fact that you don't see lots of Sporting's on the road. It's something a little bit different.