1987 Fiat Uno 60S 1.1

Summary:

A brilliant, if ageing, little car - especially as it only cost 180ukp!

Faults:

A rear section of exhaust fell off at around 135,000 miles!

Bad rust on the driver's door, rear wheel arches and tailgate.

A serious oil leak from the fuel pump.

General Comments:

On balance, an unbelievably good car for its age and wear.

Certainly not the most desirable-looking of cars! Not that this matters if you're mainly interested in getting where you're going!

A good little run-around for town, but also excellent on long-distance journeys.

Not the most comfy of cars - can be a bit of a bone-shaker on bad roads - although I've definitely been in worse.

Deceptively spacious. You can fit a surprisingly big load of stuff in once the back seats are folded out of the way.

Handling on corners is a bit like that of a refrigerator, but you get used to it.

Waft a few petrol fumes in the general direction of the car and it'll take you about 40 miles!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th October, 2001

1987 Fiat Uno 45 S (FIRE) 1.0

Summary:

Overall, a fantastic little car

Faults:

Problems have come up due to wear and tear. It's had a new gearbox at 120,000 miles.

Brake servo needs changing, plus the brake calipers seized.

New rear wheel bearing at 121,000 miles.

New timing belt (due to service).

New air-filter box due to someone dropping something on it and breaking the catches.

That's all that's happened since I've owned it. I've got the previous service.

General Comments:

It's been a super little car, basically. Great on petrol considering the mileage.

Rust on my example, given it's 15 years old, is minimal. There's some on the bottom of the driver's door and that's it. The interior has stood up to wear and tear very well.

Performance isn't earth shattering, but it is only 999cc motor. It takes a while to get up to speed, but when it gets there it'll sit at 85mph comfortably all day. It's superb and lively in traffic. It's been lowered and handles nicely.

It's been a great little car and I'd certainly have another one. I love it! Next time, though, I'll probably go for a Punto.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th April, 2001

1st Jul 2001, 07:31

I own an '88 Uno and I can agree with everything you have said.

Coincidentally, the clips on my air filter case also broke when my dad decided to bang it on the ground when attempting to clean it. Never mind eh? Anyway, we bodged it up with a couple of screws.

I also had problems with the gearbox at about 120,000 miles, so had it refurbished, I also replaced the clutch at the same time.

Mine also had a small amount of rust at the bottom of the drivers door and that's all. But I removed this with a drill and wire brush, and then filled and painted it and it's like new now.

The interior is mint condition still.

Totally agree about consumption, mine does about 45mpg no matter how you drive it, and is so reliable. It's the quickest 999cc I have ever driven, and cruises at 85mph all day. I loved it, perfect first car, but now I want something a bit bigger and quicker.

4th Jul 2001, 08:18

Nice to see another Uno owner like that. I've just changed my Uno since writing the above comment and bought a Cinquecento Sporting. But the Uno provided excellent service all the way up to when I got rid of it. Sad to see it go to be perfectly honest. Fantastic little car.

10th Jul 2001, 09:44

Hey, my Uno has rust on both my doors. :) I think I'll try removing it some day. I love my Uno, its nearly got me through my test. How come you all potter along at 85 though?? Mine shoots along at 105! And that's more than a 999cc is meant to do! Well it does it anyway. I'm planning a 600 mile round trip soon in it.

All that's gone wrong is her, well I haven't found the problem yet, in the last 2 weeks its died whilst out, it will stall and then won't start for ten minutes, and when flooring it, it splutters, I think it's a fuel problem, and when I take the filler cap off there is a vacuum and it sucks air in to equalise itself, any ideas???

1987 Fiat Uno 60s 1.1 petrol

Faults:

Gearbox blew up at about 90,000 miles, when inspected clutch release bearing had shattered as well!

Window winder mechanism (drivers side).

Exessive smoking of engine pointed to blocked breather system.

Ignition barrel.

Fuel pump went at 70,000 miles.

Electrical problems with various lights.

Brake caliper (o/s).

Brake discs warped at about 75,000 miles and replaced on the first MOT test.

We discovered that the whole floorpan was rotten and in fact most of the car was rotten and we're not just talking rust here!

General Comments:

Absolutely terrible - I know other people with Fiats and they all seem to experience similar problems with build quality etc.. JUST STEER WELL CLEAR (oh and the car was eventually sold for scrap).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th March, 1999

1st May 2001, 10:08

Sounds suspiciously like the first owner didn't look after it to me...

28th Apr 2005, 03:03

Not neccessarily the case re 1st owner. My wifes 1st owner Uno Mia rusted before I could blink an eye - and I mean RUSTED - everywhere and within 24 months and under 15,000 KMs. Still got the car and in everyday use. Goes like the proverbial bomb, but the rust is disgusting!! Live in a sea side city in R.S.A. every Uno you see has rust in exactly the same places. That should tell you something about the manufacture!!