Faults:

Digital display on the climate control failed.

Dashboard lights always very dim.

Digital radio information panel on dashboard impossible to see when lights switched on.

Wheel bearing went at 28000 miles.

General Comments:

The 206 GTI looks fabulous and handles well, but is let down by a seriously floored driving position.

It is almost impossible to find the correct driving position and as a result it is hard to really enjoy the handling, which can feel very nervous.

Interior plastics are awful - way behind its rivals like the Volkswagen Polo. Seats were not supportive enough for the ride, which is too unforgiving for every day use.

The release mechanism to tilt the front seats forward is vicious - it almost took my head off.

Gear box on mine was very clunky.

However, a cheap car to run given its performance which when pushed is excellent, if a little frantic.

Faults:

Exhaust needed replacing at 23k, nothing else.

General Comments:

A gorgeous looking car with a super chassis.

Very nippy, although get anyone other that yourself on board and the car becomes terribly slow.

When the fog light bulb blows, its impossible to fix it without getting the car up on a ramp.

Faults:

Nothing major - The usual consumables such as exhaust and tyres.

Broken wing mirror x2 = expensive dealer prices.

General Comments:

First the negative comments:

The driving position is quite bad for taller people. It is very difficult to get truly comfortable as the steering doesn't adjust for reach and when the steeering feels comfortable the pedals feel too close and vice versa. Can be got used to though.

The front windscreen pillars are big and can obstruct your vision at junctions or winding roads.

The dashboard is part of the large crumple zone and is huge. Unfortunately it is textured plastic which reflects a lot in the windscreen and can be annoying.

Rear visibility is less than some cars.

Dealers can be slow and unorganised, also expensive!

Interior fan/airflow quite weak.

Now positive comments:

The gearbox is very smooth and quite versatile.

The engine is perfectly capable, and doesn't feel too underpowered even fully loaded.

The power steering is well balanced and road-holding is excellent.

Motorway performance excellent for engine size. Quiet and smooth.

Brakes are fantastic.

Standard stereo has good sound.

Spacious inside, good storage spaces.

Looks great even as standard model.

Faults:

The drive belt shredded at around 20,000 miles.

At 60,000 miles, the electrics suddenly failed. The roadside rescue patrol failed to find the fault, which was a burnt-out earth strap.

The gear-stick gaiter started to shred at 20,000 miles.

The radio is dead: this happened at 70,000 miles.

General Comments:

Despite two rides home on the back of a rescue transporter in 80,000 miles - both for minor faults - the car has been very reliable.

The driving position does not allow for good leg-room if the steering wheel is within comfortable reach.

Although it is a super-mini, we have never had any problems with conveying luggage: the interior configuration is well thought out.

The interior gives the impression of a bigger car, with sweeping curves on the trim styling. Unfortunately, it is spoiled by a cheap, plastic finish.

The normally-aspirated 1.9 liter diesel engine is surprisingly quick, owing to the small, light body-shell.

The windscreen wiper blades are mounted on the wrong side for the UK (right-hand drive) market.

The fuel and maintenance economy is good.