Faults:

I've had the diagnostics flash up 'humidity in the diesel fuel filter' 3 times - this has been fixed under warranty twice but I'm wondering if it's worth a third...

The ventilator fan motor went on a 'go slow' around 21,000 miles and stopped completely at 27,500 miles. My local Fiat main dealer (Ilkeston Co-Op in Nottingham) tried to fix the fan motor under warranty but found that fiat had sent them the wrong type, and it had been damaged in transit to them!

General Comments:

It's the business - a truly great 'design icon' (well, you can't call it pretty!) that's fun, practical and great with my wife and the kids.

The multipla has been both a business tool (28k miles in 9 months) and great family car transporting all 5 of us around the UK and northern France in relative comfort, the only thing I'd specify on my next one would be air conditioning and the option of side airbags as I'm a bit safety concious.

You soon get used to the gear stick on the dash, but if driven by a short woman, she'd have to make sure she doesn't catch her skirt on the handbrake on exiting the car (it's between the seat and the door)

The build quality isn't perfect but my brother's Toyota Picnic cost a lot more, so you pays your money, etc...

I think it's a good car at an average of 43 miles to the gallon over the last 28,000 miles, as long as you and your family can cope with all the stares of the passers by!

Faults:

Nothing yet.

General Comments:

This is an absolutely brilliant car.

The design is utterly radical and at first you think it is hideous, but it grows and grows on you till you love it.

The space and light inside are unparalleled.

Children love travelling in it because with the middle front seat folded down they have an excellent view forwards as well as sideways, and they are high up so can see really well.

The seats are really comfortable and supportive, where our previous Volkswagen Vento gave us both backache.

The well positioned plastic rubbing strip on the side just proved itself by protecting the paintwork from any damage when a ladder-carrying white van got too close in a traffic queue.

The petrol version isn't particularly economical, we get less than 25mpg around town, though much better on open roads.

We paid £11,700 at Trade Sales in Slough for a new Irish import ELX and think we got amazing value.

Faults:

Auxiliary drivebelt tensioner deceased at 2500 miles; fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

Fantastic. Extra width rarely causes any problems, 40mpg, good pull from diesel engine, comfortable... and great fun to drive.

Kids love it, so does everyone else... because that's why they're staring, isn't it?

Oh, and I saved 20% simply by talking nicely to the local main agent.