Faults:

Indicators sometimes stop working, however switching the hazard lights on and off quickly fixes this.

Broke down on the second day I had the car when I was half way from driving from Manchester to London. Called out the breakdown assistance people only to find that the alternator had got wet. Car started as soon as the engineer tried it.

Windscreen washer/ Drivers side electric window and rear wiper all don't work (from when I bought it). Possible electrical fault. Fuses are fine though.

Did have a slight problem with a very reduced power output. Was fine next time I started the car (thought it might have been a carburettor fault)

General Comments:

Overall (despite all the faults) I am very happy with the car. Bought it for under £500 from a dealer who wanted it off his forecourt as it was not quite up to standard with the rest of his line up (generally 2-3 year old cars)

Performance and economy are both good and never have a problem getting in front from the lights. This can be a bit worrying sometimes though when you suddenly realize that you're doing 40 in second!!

Car is very spacious considering it's a 3 door hatch. Motorway driving is easy although the car does seem to be a bit on the noisy side, but this is easily fixed by turning up the stereo. Cruises at 80-85mph with ease.

Handling is OK - under-steer has caught me out a few times, getting used to it though and it can handle roundabouts pretty quickly just make sure that you have the right speed before turning.

Given the faults with the car I'm actually looking forward to selling it for more than I paid. Electrics are easy to fix and the dents in the side should beat out especially as the internal trim looks like it will come off easily.

Faults:

Alternator needed replacing x2

Under cat exhaust bracket replaced

Rotor arm flew off and broke

Balancer belt broke after 30k.

General Comments:

Generally speaking I was happy with this car.

The 8v 2.0 is fairly quick, the ride & handling good and the overall practicality of the car excellent.

The styling is love-it or hate-it although the alloys and metallic paint make it much more attractive.

Fuel economy is just acceptable - low-mid 20s around town rising to about 32 on the motorway. BUT, the parts are very expensive and this is exacerbated by the fact that many of them are FIAT only on this model.

The dealers are nothing short of shocking - I don't know whether it's the age of car, but they just don't seem to want to know.

Also, when the cambelt needs replacing so do the balancer belts - budget for 200 pounds. The balancer belt broke after 30k (not 56k like Fiat say), thank god it wasn't the cambelt.

Faults:

High pressure oil lines to intercooler cracked, needed replacing at 62000 miles.

Fuel pump solenoid failed at 64000 miles, whilst doing 50mph! engine shut off and would not start again!

Can't turn of seat warmers!

General Comments:

Nice car to drive with the equipment I have got.

Digital dash is interesting.

Drivers seat can get uncomfortable during long journeys.

Engine very noisy on cold start up.

Faults:

Clutch master & slave cylinders.

Broken timing belt.

Water pump leak(s).

Alternator failure.

Rear wiper seized.

Clutch worn out.

Camshaft oil seal leakage.

Ignition failure.

Gear change problems.

Various squeaks & rattles.

Currently a strange noise from the engine.

General Comments:

Would never, ever ever buy another Fiat. This vehicle has made me the laughing stock of the neighbourhood as I am never away from the car as it requires constant maintenance.

Faults:

Starter motor intermittent soon after we bought it - traced to a bad connection, easy to fix (common on Fiats).

Miscellaneous minor electrical niggles, all fixable by me except for faulty fuel sender unit.

Mechanically faultless, although 4,500 mile service intervals are a bit of a nuisance.

General Comments:

What an under-rated car! Why didn't Fiat sell more of these in the UK? The 1.9 TD engine is a belter - bags of oomph (92bhp) and 45mpg, the turbo kicks in nice and smoothly (unlike equivalent Pug/Citroen units) and really gives excellent low down torque. Handling is good also.

The electric dash is a hoot, even including a progressive turbo gauge on this model. Heaps of space in the rear and boot, the harsh ride is the only real criticism.

Faults:

Clutch fluid pipe needed changing. Power steering pump rubbed it I think.

New exhausts.

Rear wiper motor siezed.

New rear shockers.

General Comments:

Nice car overall for one so modest. Handling good. Loads of room. Good fuel ecomomy. Noisy at speed. Uses lots of oil. Tyres are comparatively expensive & seem prone to uneven wear. Easy car to work on.

Faults:

Starter motor failure, rear wiper motor failure, the central locking playing up on the boot (stays locked) and the tilt/slide sunroof rattles when tilted.

General Comments:

Apart from the above minor niggles, the car has been excellent. The build quality is good and the facelifted front end is much better than the old model. All the dealers I have gone to have been efficient and polite, all problems have been sorted swiftly and inexpensively. Very impressed.