Faults:

The LED display on the stereo is very slightly defective, but this has not affected usage (this fault was present at the time of purchase).

The rear exhaust fell off at 36000 miles.

Cam-belt also needed replacing at the same distance.

Otherwise just normal wear and tear items (worn brake pads, tyres, blown bulbs, etc).

General Comments:

We acquired the car for just £5695, it having previously spent a year as a rental vehicle.

It is extremely spacious, with fantastic headroom and decent legroom. Four tall adults can be accommodated comfortably.

The performance is very good for the engine size, but it suffers with a full load.

The stereo is first rate, despite the problem with the display.

Cheap to service/repair (but note we have avoided the Fiat dealerships).

Overall we are extremely happy with this car, so much so that we are currently upgrading to a new Punto 16v ELX.

Faults:

My exhaust needed replacing in October 2000, at 46,000 miles and back box has just needed replacing again - 54,000 miles!

Rear suspension bushes needed replacing at 52,000.

Shock absorber needed replacing at the same time as the bushes. Fiat dealer didn't even notice this.

General Comments:

This car is a good all rounder, although the longer I have had it the more seems to go wrong.

Fiat dealers are amongst the worst I have come across, rude and unhelpful. Unfortunately treat women as if they do not know anything about cars.

Lovely car to drive and a good bargain.

Faults:

Central locking problems, nothing to cry about but something that can be prevented with a hammer.

General Comments:

Generally a great car, spacious but compact and internally and externally a modern body with a good safety record.

Faults:

Head gasket went (although my teenage son may have been an influence on that).

The dealer fixed it under warranty.

Sticky windows occasionally.

General Comments:

I have found it to be very lively especially on the motorway and in town.

The car has lots of nice extras, electric windows, central locking, fog lights, and body coloured bumpers, etc.

Very reliable.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Very reliable and hardy runabout.

Engine quite willing but it needs to be revved to get the best out of it.

Suspension is a bit choppy but otherwise a great car.

Faults:

Electric window, driver's side, malfunction after 3 years of use. Deal, Sweeney & Forte fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

Excellent car. Deceivingly BIG for the small car.

Very spacious, loads of head and leg room in both front and back seats.

Seat is height adjustable which is brilliant for us small legged people.

Steering wheel is also adjustable so all hazards etc are seen on the dashboard.

Faults:

No problems at all.

General Comments:

Car runs and sounds perfectly as from day one.

Surprisingly big for the "small city car".

Steering wheel is moveable so you can see all lights on the dashboard. Seat is height adjustable.

Faults:

Constant niggling faults. More creaks than a haunted house!

Exhaust baffle blew at just 10k miles, replacement back box £140 at main dealer car was still under warranty but as exhaust is a consumable item price was reduced to £40, I should bloody think so too!

Idler gear wear identified by a rattling sound when clutch is released disappears when depressed. This is a common fault on Puntos which can necessitate a new gearbox costing £700!

Steering and brakes always pulled to the left, dealer failed to rectify problem.

Awful smell from heater when blowing hot.

Dreadful wet weather grip from standard Michelins.

General Comments:

A great shame because the Punto is a stylish and spacious car with a wonderful engine and crisp exhaust note which fails to live up to expectations on the road.

The dealer charges are extremely fierce, I was quoted £240 for a 20k service. If you buy one of these new take it to Halfords for servicing after the measly 12 months warranty runs out, Fiat dealers are unhelpful and dishonest in my experience and in most other cases if you read the customer satisfaction surveys.

I would never buy another Fiat it is a substandard product with awful build integrity. The reason they are so popular is the style and showroom appeal, sadly the ownership experience is about as pleasurable as having your testicles pierced!

Faults:

Poor running caused by an electrical fault - lambda sensor plug-end was corroded. Replaced and has been perfect ever since.

General Comments:

Great car to own and drive. Gearing not so great for cruising at 80 mph+, can be a bit noisy. Otherwise good town/moderate distance car.

Faults:

Black paintwork faded on front bumper (repaired by dealer under warranty).

Exhaust back box expired (without warning!)

General Comments:

Excellent performance in a straight line!, be careful around corners though!

Very well equipped, a bit unrefined, but all round great fun.

Buy one while you can as they don't make the "turbo" model any more.

Pound for pound excellent value for money.

Faults:

Electric headlamp levelling (not that I use it!!) - turned out to be the switch not being connected!!

General Comments:

Hard on front tyres. Needed new ones at 13K miles.

Gearbox can be stubborn. Close-ratio box mean high revs at motorway speeds

Other than that, an excellent, reliable, practical and nippy runabout.

Faults:

After one year, the rear right handbrake cable broke, even though just over one month over its warranty, DC Cook (Manchester) replaced it free, which would have cost >£100! Apart from that, no probs.

General Comments:

Pretty good, looks much better with 15in alloys.