Faults:

A lot of the electrical system failed: rear wipers, turn indicator, cabin light...

On the seats the neck protection is not high enough for me (185cm).

Rear front brakes was blocked because a small rubber protection against salt from the road was missing.

The carburator need regular cleaning because of the oil damp intake above the top of it.

You have to know exactly what type of spare part you need for your model. For example there are 7 different types of brakes to choose from.

General Comments:

My best and most reliable car ever! Starts every morning, also at the winter cruise to Norway.

Nothing has ever gone wrong on that car that I couldn't fix with things I just happen to have with me. It is lovely and simple.

Spare parts are very cheap and used parts are almost given away.

Faults:

Different fuses blown.

Major oil leaks.

Starter motor regularly wearing out due to a worn flywheel.

Interior bulbs blown. Dimmer switch blown.

Rear quarter windows jammed closed.

Rattly heatshield.

General Comments:

The car is nice and quick and handles like a dream.

Quick and can take a lot of abuse. It's one heck of a revvy car, just pushing you all the time to go faster.

Loud at high speeds though, but very comfortable.

This car maybe overshadowed by the 205 and is very underrated. If you drove one then you would find out there is a lot people don't know about this car, it is a major wolf in sheep's clothing!

Faults:

Exhaust & rear brake backplates rotted through. Both easily replaced by myself.

Tappets noisy when car aquired but again easily cured.

General Comments:

This car was offered to me cheap and I purchased it because of the rising petrol prices. It returns over 40mpg and is a joy to drive.

The bodywork seems to resist rust and it has just sailed through an M.O.T!

Faults:

Steering universal joint at 110k and valve clearances need adjusting every 30k to keep noise down.

Front tyres wear evenly after tracking optically set.

Water requires topping up every month.

Brake disks at 80k.

New handbrake cable and brake pipes in recent MOTs.

Rust on bonnet and tailgate.

General Comments:

Now at 120k, the early service history has paid off in reliability, but I have to keep an eye on things. Car is good fun to drive, handles very well. Interior is basic and could be more comfortable, but the car was cheap to buy secondhand.

Faults:

Exhaust system, rear wheel bearing.

Passenger seat will not lock into place correctly.

General Comments:

Good on acceleration, but gearbox could do with a cruising gear for motorway driving. Bodywork is good, considering the age and had no trouble with the engine at all.

Faults:

Steering Rack replaced 90,000mls.

N/S brake caliper replaced twice.

Headlamp changed twice.

Drivers seat replaced (scrapyard £40).

Tail gate seal replaced.

Pass/Door window motor replaced.

EIGHT tyres fitted.

General Comments:

I have done over 60,000 mls in this car. It works hard and is serviced (DIY) regularly. I find it is more expensive to run than I expected. Interior is very basic, cheap and tacky. I cannot give a good reason for not buying another of the same make, I just wouldn't.