Faults:

Wing mirrors very wobbly- Replaced, £15.

Rear section of exhaust replaced, clanking when I went over speed bumps, even at crawling pace, especially with people in the back. - Replaced, £40.

Sometimes if I catch the car on the clutch a bit too early when setting off, it makes a very strange vibration at low revs, and loses power, but this wears off after traveling at 30/40 mph for a few minutes. Odd :S.

General Comments:

Good car, 5 doors is a big bonus.

1.4 engine is nippy, and very economical, especially on the motorways.

Faults:

4 new wheel bearings for some reason. Mine all went within a month of each other.

Car revs wildly. I have been told it's an ECU or injector problem. Three garages have admitted defeat on this problem, but it has now sorted itself out.

Head gasket has recently gone at 82k.

Exhaust is flimsy and bangs against the axle. Again a problem that two garages failed to fix!!!

Eats fuel water and oil. Despite having had a recent service and MOT, the problem has not been sorted.

Power steering is vague.

Steering pulls to the left, despite having the tracking and wheels balanced twice!!

General Comments:

Car feels very sporty. When it works it has good handling, although it's a nightmare in the wet.

Suspension and handling are very twitchy when venturing above 70mph.

The interior is probably the most redeeming feature on this car - heated mirrors, rev counter, electric windows etc.

Although it had major problems with the injection system when first bought, it has sorted itself out and has been brilliant ever since.

For all its faults, this car is awesome when is working!! I am definitely going to upgrade to a 1.4 sri or 1.6 sport, as I feel that will make the waiting worthwhile. I have had my 1.2 for a while now and am bored of the 1.2 8v, which can hold its own against other 1.2s, and very rarely 1.4s, but engine performance is definitely an issue with the 8v Corsas.

Faults:

Head gasket went at approx 74000 miles. This is a common problem on 16V models. This was fixed under dealer warranty. Tell tale signs is gurgling of water from behind the dashboard on startup.

Had to replace the battery as it wasn't holding charge in June 2006.

The bolster on the drivers seat has started to wear, however I would expect this on a car this old.

General Comments:

For a 1.4 the car is fairly quick. It is 90bhp as standard, however it is a bit flat under 3500rpm.

The handling on the car as standard wasn't great as it had thin 13" wheels on as well as soft suspension. I have since put 15" wider alloys on and fitted lowered suspension and it handles a lot better.

Faults:

Fan belt needed replacing soon after I brought the car.

Brakes worn down to metal on metal.

Usual minor problems, stone chips, wiper blades needed replacing etc.

General Comments:

The ride has become very rough. Guessing suspension get bit worn. Not bad though, considering the mileage.

Performance around town is great.

Cruises nicely on the motorway. Overtaking however can be a bit hairy.

Interior is basic, but of reasonable comfort.

Faults:

(1) Head gasket replaced at 86,000 miles. - keep an eye on the engine temperature dial and inspect fluid levels properly. Symptoms: The temperature dial gives no/intermittent reading and there was chocolate milkshake looking stuff under oil cap (water in oil), cooling system did not hold pressure (no hiss after removing cap while warm) and loss of power while pulling away. Cost £350 from dealers. I also changed the timing belt.

(2) Bearings on offside rear replaced. Caused by leaking seal on cylinder, also replaced. Symptoms: vibration at speed.

(3) Rear section of exhaust replaced. Symptoms: knocking clanging sound from below when going over speed bumps, especially with people in rear seats. Cost about £25 from KwikFit.

General Comments:

The car always starts first time and is good on fuel particularly when driving on the motorway.

Comfortable and plenty of legroom and headroom for both driver and rear passengers.

No cigarette lighter socket. Pedals are nicely spaced, gear change is still nice after 85000 miles.

If you live near the sea then you'll start to notice your red paint "pinking". Needs TLC.

Nice and very nippy.