Faults:

Cam belt snapped @ 52,000.

Wheel nuts rusted @ 40,000.

Headlight misted @ 45,000.

Numerous niggles under warranty including persistent alarm faults, steering problems, warped discs, etc, etc, etc.

General Comments:

Fiat Punto HGT. Never, never, again. Awful reliability, overrated car, overrated dealership, overrated performace. Need I say more?

Car is decidedly average with poor handling, tatty trim and lack lustre performance.

A final word of warning. Fiat service schedule states cam belt does not require change until 72K. If you are an owner who has done anything over 40,000 get your belt checked ASAP. After a little local research have discovered this is a common fault on the HGT's. Worse case scenario, new engine, best, at least valve damage and new head gasket set.

If you are considering purchasing... don't! Have owned a Peugeot GTI 6 and Golf GTI previously and they are far superior in every respect.

Faults:

The windscreen wiper motor had to be replaced... wipers really labored and shuddered on the intermittent setting.

Cigar lighter was blowing the fuse and had to be replaced.

General Comments:

This is an ex-demo car, therefore has everything, ABS, Traction Control (turn offable), alloys, 5 CD changer, air con and sat-nav etc etc So can't complain on the features.

Sports suspension takes its toll on long journeys on the motorways.

Really does gulp the unleaded and so is expensive to run and insure (group 14).

Faults:

It's been back to the garage 6 times.

Could not select 5th gear. Gear push/pull cables not setup.

2nd and 4th gear grinding. Battery warning light started to flash. New 2nd and 4th gear. New alternator.

Rev counter died. "New" set of clocks.

Clocks had 4000 extra miles. New clocks fitted.

3rd gear grinding. New 3rd gear. Also new throttle body fitted?? Never found out why.

All warning flashing and 3rd gear grinding. New head gasket, new gearbox and a number of other jobs.

Now the CITY PS is kicking in by itself and causing over steering. Car has spun out once because of this.

General Comments:

Nice looking car.

Cheap to run.

Easy to push.

Faults:

No faults so far as I haven't had the car that long.

General Comments:

This car is seriously quick!!! Blows away lots of cars from the lights. Pulls strongly all the way past 100mph!!

Kept on the tail of a bmw 330i the other day (from a standing start all the way to 80mph. The bloke didn't know what was going on!!

Also it handles like it is on rails

Excellent build quality and interior, loaded with toys. air conditioning, ABS, 5 cd auto changer, traction control etc...

Insurance is high though (group 15) and is heavy on petrol. But its FAST!!!

Faults:

1.A light at the back and two in the front during 4 years.

2. Battery just when completing 4 years ownership.

3. Light stalk was very sensitive and would flash headlamps unintentionally; changed under guarantee.

General Comments:

A perfect second car for the family; roomy, extremely reliable; economical and even stylish.

The ride could have been a little more supple and the electric power-steering lacks feel.

The quality of the interior is excellent and everything is still perfectly intact without any squeaks.

One does hear some suspension noises going over 'speed-bumps'.