Faults:

The engine management light peeped on, but we drove to our destination carefully with just a small loss of power. The garage I have always used has changed the air flow thingy, and although the light has gone off, it comes on under heavy acceleration, but with no loss of power. He has spoken to a Fiat main deal as he needs to put it on a machine, which he has not got, and the man has started making noises about "the turbo may be at fault". There are no other turbo failure symptoms such as smoke, total loss of power, don't forget the smoke..

I love this car; it has a few faults, but nothing I can't live with, any suggestions please?

General Comments:

We love this car, even with its little foibles.

It's quick.

It's economical.

The kids love it too.

Faults:

Replaced clutch at 80,000

Various tie-rod and roll cage linkage replaced mostly due to road conditions.

General Comments:

Not the fastest people carrier that you can buy, but that's not really to reason you buy one.

For a car that's designed to carry six people from A to B in reasonable comfort it does its job very well.

Odd styling may put people off, but I would suggest driving one before you dismiss it.

Faults:

The fan was not working when I bought the car resulting in overheating, wishbones at the front needed replacing.

General Comments:

I drove from UK to poland and returned, I was wary about going as I didn't think it would make it. However... With two children, a husband and a shed load of luggage I found the whole trip fantastic, thanks to the comfortable ugly, but faithful multipla.

Plenty of room, comfortable, reliable.

Faults:

X Reg bought last week in Dec 2002 from PIPERS of MAIDSTONE, delivered 1st week Jan 2003. Was a close call between Multipla and Vauxhall Zafira.

1. Leaking rear sun-roof. (No defect found, possibly not shut properly during pre-delivery checks).

2. Cracked boot sill - replaced.

3. Dented drivers door very small - dealer trying their best to ignore.

4.Passenger front door courtesy light intermittent, when you open door. Still intermittent so difficult to identify fault to dealer.

Faults 2- 4 spotted on fore-court and an extra week given to resolve these issues. Not done by dealer - warranting second trip to dealer.

Two weeks after delivery:

5. Cd changer jammed dealer claims warranty is void because I used a back-up copy CD. Solicitors are being contacted.

6.Engine Management faulty warning light on. Fixed.

7.Throttle cable jammed occasionally. This was apparently related to engine management as well as faulty cable.

8.ABS fault light on. Related to nos 6. Fixed.

9. No escalation procedure in dealership. Management don't want to know when you have a problem.

General Comments:

You would have thought that with all these mishaps, I would be put off. No.

Seating wacky, but practical. Both children can seat in front and mum stretches out along the length of back seat.

Weekly shopping fits comfortably in boot which is deceptive in size.

Took out all seats and able to honor long standing commitment to clear our garage.

Six and a half hour trip to Cornwall was ultimate test. Comfortable - even the children didn't mind. Chaos on M25 when leaving resulting in night driving. It wasn't that bad. I particularly like the high drive height and all round visibility.

When she goes she goes, and took the hills and dips in her stride. Overtaking not as sharp as a petrol engine. Very low ratio in gear one only good for 2 seconds after starting off.

At Today's diesel price of 78p /liter, I seem to spend about £40.00 every 300 miles of local driving - school runs, work local, shopping etc. Work out the math.

BUG BEARS.

1. Remote electric window controls for driver and passenger side windows only. Cannot control rear windows from driver side. How many times do you tell the children to wind up fully?

2. Back seat headrests means poor visibility through rear window.

3. Rear window wiper set to one speed only. Cannot do intermittent wipe like you can with front wipers.

4. Only one cup holder in the front!! It's molded into the dash board so can't take extra large drinks.

5. Front seat belts do not always spring back when you release. You know that horrible feeling when you have jammed the buckle against the frame when shutting / slamming the door.

Some one tell FIAT to bring out a long wheel base model as the boot space could be a bit better, and pls, pls an automatic model or at least fit cruise control. Would I buy a newer model later on?. I don't know, cos I have really been put off by the dealership. From what I have read, it seems to be a common problem with FIAT dealerships.