Faults:

Rear door handle stuck solid and could not open. Not good on an estate car which is used. The part cost about 30 pounds and a spring had seized inside.

Then the drivers door handle snapped on the front part This was a big job to replace as most of the inner door had to come off. Aparently both are known faults by fiat.

The centre console between the drivers seats compartment doesn't shut. The plastic piece snapped and keeps on springing up.

General Comments:

Damn nice comfy ride and a big enough boot to move most items.

The diesel engine can move when it wants and it handle's pretty well for an estate.

Have towed a caravan and a trailer tent with no problems what-so-ever.

Faults:

Drivers door made load clicking noise when opening and closing. This turned out to be just a loose part.

Needed new tires after 24,000 miles.

General Comments:

Decent sized boot with drop down tailgate.

Comfy drive.

Quick for a diesel and good miles to the gallon.

Good amount of electric toys.

Faults:

Handbrake warning light worked occasionally.

Brake-pad warning light never worked.

Window strip at bottom of rear window prevented driver's door from opening when warm.

Stereo broke.

One rear speaker broke.

Trim rattles.

Rust on 3 patches of roof which Fiat agreed to repair.

Remote control key always showed as having low battery even with new ones.

Power steering rack leaked and was replaced.

Paint very soft and scratched easily.

General Comments:

Long after Fiats reputation for rust disappeared, I found 3 large rust spots on my roof, one the size of a 5p coin. Fiat agreed to carry out the repair on a car just over 2 years old. Unfortunately by this time I had lost faith in the car and feared for its longevity.

To drive its hard to imagine it costs so little for an example so young. Mine was just 8 months old with 11000 on the odometer. Cost?... a meagre £7000 with 2 yrs warranty.

A lovely engine and excellent handling packaged in a relatively good looking body.

Brakes are only adequate and poor fuel consumption, unless you drive extremely gently.

I previously owned a Fiat Cinquecento Sporting which in 18 months required only a speedometer cable.

The interior space is limited, but the boot is large.

If you find a good one you'll love it. If you don't, you either put up with minor electrical and trim gremlins or your local dealer will be on first name terms.