Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with this car, I haven't had it very long, but it has been the most perfect car to learn to drive in, and I couldn't have bought a better first car.

General Comments:

The car was in amazing condition when I bought it, it had barely been used and had very low mileage. I drive it up lanes and unmade roads and it copes amazingly! I have a horse too, and all the equipment needed fits into the car with no problem at all! The car happily moves along with maximum passengers and this does not affect the handling in any way. I am very pleased with it and it is very economical on fuel, which lasts a long time and is cheap to fill up.

Faults:

The upper rubber seal of the front right door ripped after a few months. Replaced under warranty, and again started to rupture after the warranty ended.

Spark plugs and cables replaced at around 30.000 km - not surprising considering the car is always driven on short distances, only 5-20 km daily.

After 5 years since being built, corrosion began to creep inside the lower side of the doors, on the rear wheel arches and in the boot; the car lacks suitable rust protection, and the metal is very thin, would puncture easily if rust is not dealt with soon.

General Comments:

Mechanically it works very well, extremely reliable, low fuel consumption. The engine always starts, even at the lowest temperatures, and it will take lower quality fuel without a hiccup.

The plastic inside is very rough and scratches easily, seats have mediocre ergonomics (but still better than a C1, Aygo and the likes). Inside it has a lot of headroom, even the tallest people can fit, and generally it has more room than other small cars.

In the city, the handling is brilliant. The small 3 piston engine revs, roars and accelerates like a much larger one. However if it's fully loaded, performance decreases dramatically. The car is good for 1-2 people plus a bag of groceries.

Outside the city, at high speeds (70-100 km/h) and in corners, the handling is poor, and the car doesn't have a lot of stability.

Being the economic model, it is "naked": no airbags, no ABS. The interior is spartan - no radio, no clock, nothing. But at 4400 euros when new, it was a bargain, and works very well in its role: in the city, with light loads.

Remarkably reliable, but the bodywork's poor corrosion treatment lets it down.

Faults:

Driver's door power window switch failed, but don't most switches eventually?

General Comments:

Borrowed this car while mine was off the road and didn't want to hand it back, so I bought it!

Cabin room is fantastic. I am 6' tall, and once inside forget that I am driving a small car. Head and leg room are actually better than my previous (mid size) car.

I love its reliability on a morning, I KNOW it is going to start whatever the weather. At last, a car I can trust 100% to get me to work on time.

OK, the gear change can be notchy at times, but that is one of the car's little quirks and not a problem.

Performance is good. Nippy in traffic and no problem on the motorway. The engine actually buzzes in a very distinct and soothing way.

Handling is great and nipping through traffic a pleasure. The Matiz gets through gaps where others have to wait.

All in all a lovely, comfortable and reliable car with great fuel economy, good looks and great value for money.