Faults:

Fuel supply problem occurred at 85.000 km.

Water cooling system started to lose water at 83.000 km.

Because of a cooling system fault, the engine started overheating.

General Comments:

It's a cheap and economic car to drive. Due to its size, it's quite ideal for Istanbul traffic and it's so good at parking.

Not fast or comfortable, but reliable, it offers easy driving, and a good view for its class...

Very economic fuel consumption.

Faults:

These cars have a reputation for being unreliable, however, if you look after them not that much goes wrong, other than normal wear and tear.

When I purchased the car the cylinder head gasket had gone! This was down the fact that the correct servicing schedule had not been maintained; the head bolts need to be tightened down at every service as they tend to loosen due to poor design, thus ruining the gasket. In Europe a 700cc Cinquecento is available (using the same engine) with an updated head, during one of my regular trips to Spain, I obtained one of these cylinder heads with the new specification gasket and I have not had any problems since!

The car uses quite a few rear tyres, I tend to get 15,000 miles out of them.

The driver's door handle broke on one occasion and I spent about a month getting in and out through the passenger door. The handle is the same as is fitted to the Cinquecento, so eventually I found one in a scrap yard and fixed it.

I have been through three clutches! And countless hoses for the cooling system, particularly the one that runs to the front of the car.

General Comments:

This car, despite its diminutive size, is really rather good. It is very cheap to run and is ideal for London traffic.

Faults:

A few things were "fixed" before the actual problem of a dodgy choke was identifed.

Rear hatch lock broke - trying to replace it meant contacting the Fiat Owners Club.

One electrical fault.

General Comments:

This was my first car and despite the problems I have had with it I love it. If Fiat UK still did more parts for the car, owning it would be a breeze. My local dealer at least is pretty useless when it comes to this model.

Not one to get if you like comfort - but a cinch to park.

Faults:

Almost everything:

The engine head had to be repaired at 30,000.

The stearing wheel head got loose (corrosion).

Suspension was long gone at 40,000.

Key ignition got stuck.....

Twice changed clutch, 30,000 and 40,000.

General Comments:

Very cheap buy...

Inexpensive repairs. Almost anybody can do it.

Air cooled engine at the rear.

Great sound, great feeling to drive it on snow or ice.

As a fun car it is really good.

low fuel consumption beats Fiat 750.

I like it.