Fiat road test reports and car reviews

Fiat Marea 100sx 1999

Had this car 13+ years and 107,000 miles done. Still returns 40+ mpg on mostly rural driving. Very reliable throughout its life. Money spent only on consumables, incl. cambelt. Best value for money car I’ve ever owned.

Fiat Scudo 120 2007

Purchased new and serviced fully by the supplying Fiat commercial dealer according to service schedules. With relatively low annual mileage only 26 months after purchase the dual mass flywheel broke up (37,000 miles) and Fiat in Turin said it was not covered by the 3 year Engine and Transmission warranty! Now 2013 at 95,000 miles the head has dropped a valve into one of the cylinders and a new engine is required. Also at the same time I bought a new Ducato, which has been a nightmare taking three years to get running reliably due to a wrongly installed wiring loom during manufacture - intermittently shorting out to chassis! I will never buy another Fiat commercial.

Fiat Punto 2001

Do not even be tempted to buy a Fiat. I changed the plugs but oil was leaking into them. Next I heard the sound of water, so I changed the water and cured the problem. Then the bonnet release cable snapped. Then the windscreen wiper on one side stopped working. Today I saw a puddle of water so had a look at the water pump, which was leaking like a tap. It is the worst car that I have ever owned. I have had it for one month. I will never buy a Fiat again as they are made so badly it is hard to believe. I am expecting Candid Camera to say it’s all just a big joke. But no, it’s a Fiat!

Fiat Scudo 2.0 multijet 120 2008

Fantastic van that is quick and pulls with ease everything I tow on it (mainly cars/4x4 on car trailer), even when loaded itself. Very impressive fuel consumption - 500+ miles on a tank of diesel with sensible driving. So comfortable to drive I rarely use my car now. It’s done 80,000 miles. It had 55,000 on it when I got it 18 months ago and all I have done is service it (full service, and I change oil and filter every 10,000 miles) and front and rear pads. Can not fault this van and would buy another, but only the 2.0 diesel not the 1.6.

Fiat Grande Punto 90hp 1.3 diesel 2006

Purchased this car brand new from the dealer and it has turned out to be the best car I have ever owned. Currently at 75000 miles on clock, I have replaced the electric steering, a broken front spring (pot holes) and two front tyres, that’s it, nothing else, nada!. I have been all over the UK and Europe towing a trailer tent and it just keeps going! Sure there are one or two niggles, but who cares? If I wanted top quality, refinement, power, class, I would be a top gear idiot presenter driving a car no mortal person could afford. I want a cheap, reliable, good looking, comfy car and that’s what this car is. This car is cheap to run, tax and insure. I want to give as little cash to the government as possible and this car fits the bill. Yes I’m sure I will have a few breakdowns in the future, yes they are a pain, but with 75000 miles things will wear out, it’s part of any car ownership. Love this car, it will be with us for a long time to come.

Fiat Scudo 2008

The worst van ever! I’ve replaced the turbo twice as it’s so noisey it rattles like a rattle snake!

Fiat Panda 4x4 2010

A good little car. I have always ben a little anxious about snow conditions; I live in the North East and I need a car that is reliable in the conditions. Moving up the gears is noisy, but I have got used to this. I will buy another Panda.

Fiat Doblo dynamique family 2010

My doblo is my second and probably the last. This one is the new mk3 version and has not lived up to my old one. This one has now covered 40K miles and I am on my third set of rear shock absorbers due to the bottom bushes just wearing out. The ones fitted when new lasted fewer than 15k miles so I have just fitted the third set at 39k miles and these ones cost just £240 fitted and the car was of the road for 2 weeks waiting for them to come from Italy as there is none in GB and none in Italy HQ as well. The other problem is the oil filter housing leaking to fit at my expence £145. I really do not rate the new model and the service from main dealers is poor to say the least, for me to get to a dealer involves a 14 hour ferry crosssing and the overall cost excluding garage bill is about £1k. Parts that get ordered come wrong due to the dealer not being able to figure out the part programs from Fiat HQ. The warranty is only valid for 2 years and is at the discretion of Fiat on the third year - a long way from other car makers warranties. Customer service does not have any way to take a FIAT franchise off a dealer as I have asked this to be done to a major car sales garage in Scotland. On the Mk3 tyre, size is so oddball you may have a problem finding tyres to fit them, and you wonder why this may be my last Doblo ever?! P.S. Just in case I am having bushes made from polypropolene as I have spare shocker for fitting the next time the bushes go in about 8k miles I reckon from experience. There is no sign of any recall from Fiat to fix the bushes on the rear shockers problem and they do not seem interested. I am not happy!

Fiat Scudo 2007

 

I’ve had two scudos from new. I bought my first in 2004 and still have it and it has 225,000 on the clock. This model is fantastic to drive and I still use it on a daily basis. I had a new engine fitted at 75,000, but this was partly my fault because I didn’t realise it had a leak on the water system. I bought and still have a 57 plate lwb, which now has 195,000 miles on the clock. It’s not too bad apart from front bushes (drop links), which we replace about every 20,000 miles and it has shocking rear near side tyre wear; we had a new axel fitted under warranty to solve this, but it’s still as bad. The mpg on the 57 is not good either and I have to say it is a shocking van to drive. To sum up my 9 yrs driving a scudo I would say the 04 model is fantastic, but the 57 model is disappointing . I have today ordered a new van, a Nissan NV200, and the 57 plate is for sale.

 

Fiat Ducato 2000

Some niggles, but overall a great van for the money. I have taken it on many trips through Europe with no problems. Now on 100,000 miles and it will need a clutch soon - my fault as I pulled a knackered trailer off an autobahn. Mind you that was four years ago!

Fiat Doblo Cargo 2006

This is the worst van I have ever owned, an absolute bag of rubbish! The looks are fine, but mechanically it’s very poor. So far fifth gear has had to be replaced and a new clutch fitted; they hurt the pocket big time! The dual mass is rubbish. Then it needed a new alternator, which practically needs half the engine dismantling to get to it, why this is nobody knows?! Just avoid these money pits!

Fiat Ducato 2.3 multijet 2010

Mine is a second-hand Ducato, 137k 2.3 multijet mwb van. Problems so far: Water running onto the injectors and engine from front windscreen seal; four days of ownership the diesel was leaking from the engine and it will not start, no one can find a fault, there’s no compression so its going in for rebuild; judderey reverse gear; flimsy doors; water in both headlights; hard to open doors; peeling paintwork. Do not buy a Fiat Ducato ever!

Fiat Ducato Maxi 2002

We have been the owners since new of this van and to be honest it has been a real good workhorse. We have done less than 70k and we had a problem with a gear box, but once done we have had no problems. We would recommend these vehicles to anyone wanting a workhorse. We are looking for a new one again as this is now outdated and is starting to rust on the body. All in all a really good vehicle.

Fiat Ducato Maxi 2008

The paint on the cab of my Fiat Ducato is flaking off. I would have thought it lasted a lot longer than 5years, but Fiat Australia, does not seem to be interested in doing any thing about it!

Fiat Scudo Van model D 2006

Exchanged the vehicle with my son, who had bought it new. As my wife drove the van I fitted it with reversing cameras, but disconnecting the battery was a mistake. Since reconnecting it the cigarette lighter stopped working, the clock only works when the ignition is on and and the radio keeps having to have the code reinstated. The Fiiat delerships are useless, they can’t even tell you where all the fuses are situated. With no workshop manual available I am at loss. other than this I have found the van very good.

Fiat Ducato Swift Suntor 630 Motorhome 2004

The 2.8 Jtd engine pulls ok in 4th, but loses a bit of power up hill in 5th. Cruises 55-60mph. Quiet and a good ride with no judders as yet. Averages 26-31MPG. I think it is too heavy for single rear tyres though as 3850KGS and taxed private HGV. The nearside door won’t open on key and the interior light flashes while driving. Also, I tried to start the engine as normal, all lights working OK etc, and all the power went off including lights. I took the fuses out under the bonnet one by one to check and all were Ok. I tried to start again and everything came back on and started OK. Also, o/s brake light stopped working no power in the end ran wire from N/S brake light. I’ve had a rear tyre blow out (slow speed thank God) and the tyre man said they were old tyres and had been standing, even though they had loads of tread; I bought the Fiat second hand at 44K miles only, so I put new tyres on. Quality of fixings in the motorhome is a bit disappointing for a £38k van when new. Also the water pump in the van makes a noise.

Fiat Panda 1.1 active eco 2012

A reliable little car, but the fuel consumption is not as good as I was led to believe, only about 45 mpg on a long run. It’s a tight fit to get in and out of the driver’s side door and the head room is not good. It’s also very frustrating not having remote central locking, you can get soaked to the skin in the rain having to struggle to find the lock in the dark. The accelerator pedal is far too high off the floor and makes your leg ache on long journeys. Otherwise this is quite a good and cheap car to run, although service costs are quite expensive at the Fiat dealership.

Fiat Ducato Maxi Nu Venture camper 2008

Good on fuel, but the clutch gives off a smell when using it at half if bypassing slowly parked traffic on a tight hill.

Fiat Multipla JTD 2006

The worst car I have ever owned! Bought at 66000 and only reached 70000 before I had to replace the following: New clutch and dual mass flywheel costing £975; new rear wheel carrier; EGR valve repair; turbo link siezed; new rear wheel bearing faulty; rear screen washer; knocking from suspension; Very poor wear on interior; Air bag sensor light permanently on, is it now working? ..No! Off the road again after a very loud whine and almost total loss of power from the engine (can’t go over 30mph) I used to change company cars @ 8000+ miles and they all still drove like new (and almost looked new!) these were Vauxhalls and Hondas. DON’T buy one of these! They may look groovy, but even spares are already an issue (try getting rear supension links for an example). I have also replaced the cambelt/ water pump. 

Fiat Ducato Swift motorhome 2010

Vehicle has covered 1800 miles and began making a loud engine noise at 2000rpm. The dealer could not fix, so a Fiat technician looked at the vehicle after a ten day wait! He said it was characteristic of vehicle!?? If that’s true why does it take 1800 miles to appear? Absolute rubbish! Fiat don’t send out technicians only loss adjusters to save them money. The most unhelpful manufacturer I’ve ever dealt with! Junk, but that’s why in the van world Transits far outnumber Fiats; most companies would bankrupt themselves if they relied on Fiats!I would never buy a Fiat again.

Responses to this review

Interested in your comments. Own a Fiat Ducato 3L turbo Swift motorhome. Noise at 2500 km. Was the dual flywheel. Replaced ($4500). Again same problem at 6000Km. Then warning light at 8000Km re fuel injector. Ordered a new??? ECU. Not impressed with Fiat. Have a letter from Fiat stating "there is no such thing as goodwill with Fiat" I am keeping that for the future - John Shortland from New Zealand

Fiat Ducato 33 mwb 2007

I bought my mwb standard panel March 2007 and have now done 92000 miles. It hasn’t used a drop of oiland there are no leaks anywhere. I replaced the front tyres at 62000 miles with the rear tyres still the original from new. A great van where the only cost has been £160 a year for independant servicing from a local mechanic. It’s now 5 1/2 years old and its still as good as new. I’ve been very lucky judging by all the negative commets on this site.

Fiat Multipla elx 1999

Bought new in 1999 and still on the road (2012) with 240,000 miles on the clock. The engine is still good, bodywork shows a few dents and scrapes. Repairs: A/C compressor, one front swinging arm (drove into a pothole), bonnet stays and alternator. It’s been garage serviced and other than cam belts and the usual filters etc, there have been no major costs. The downside has been rubbish plastic door handles and fascia - one is powdering the other ’soft touch’ plastic is ’sticky touch’ glue. I’ve had Fords, Citroen, Vw’s, Austin, Triumph, et al, but this one beats them all for performance, economy, space, oh...and ugliness. I love it.

Fiat Scudo 120 mjet 2008

Can’t believe I didn’t read the reviews before buying my Scudo 2008 120 mjet. It is garbage and is constantly failing on me despite throwing money at it. Listing the faults would take too long. Stay clear!

Fiat Panda 4x4 2007

After all the good press on this car I can only assume I got a ’lemon’. In the last year I have replaced the prop shaft at a cost of £1300, 2 sets of shocks on both front and back, exhaust, rear axle bush link bar (don’t ask me what that is!) front suspension bushes, rear brake calipers at £240 each. The whole car rattles and clunks, I get one noise fixed and the next one starts. The drivers side window motor is also failing. I initially told everyone to get one of these as they are superb at getting through the snow here, but my advice is to replace it when the warranty runs out. I am only hanging on to it until I can face having another car payment.

Fiat 500C 2009

Fiat 500 quality leaves a lot to be desired. My wife has a convertable and it looks great and drives well when it works. We have had it since new, less than 3 years and already it’s on its second electrical fault. The dealership have been little help, though they did say they might of been more help if we had it serviced with them. Nice bit of bribery. The fault is down to poor manufacturing. According to the dealership when the boot has opened and shut it has chaffed the wires and now they have broken. So now it needs a £600 worth of wiring loom, not bad on a car that has done less than 30,000 miles. Fiat won’t except its their fault. Overall don’t buy a new Fiat as the quality and service leaves a heck of a lot to be desired. Such a shame because it’s great to drive in all weathers and has good fuel consumption. The radio is poor, but the CD is good. It could have been a great 5 star car. Shame about the quality.

Fiat Doblo 2005

I had an ’05 plate, which had gear box problems at about 120,000 miles; the gear selecter went, but I managed fine with 4th gear missing till it was repaired. It had more gear box problems after that and went through recondition boxs like no tomorrow. The the turbo went at about the same time and second-hand recons didn’t last that long. No engine problems though, except the water bottle leaked a couple of times. It did go through a lot of tyres as the tracking easily goes out. Good on diesel,  easy to handle and with wheelchair space it was ideal. I now own an ’07 plate and also use it as taxi, but tyre wear seems to still be a problem, maybe because I make it lean round the corners?

Fiat Scudo 2008

Bad doesn’t describe it. If no stars were an option I’d be on it. Let’s begin. Bought September last year and so far it’s needed: Anti roll bar bushes (cannot be bought separate have to buy the whole thing) all for injector seals, power steering pipe on low pressure end, 2 x wishbone and link bars and now a gearbox. Good going in a year and 17,000 miles. Only 75,000 on the clock and isn’t used for a great weight. If someone gave you this van it would still cost you a fortune. Stay well clear, poor doesn’t even cover it!

Fiat Scudo 1.6 2007

The list of problems I’ve had with 2007 1.6 Scudo at 69000miles is: EGR valve, 2x start motors, new turbo, brakes locking on and not releasing, broken down wiring loom, sliding door won’t close, lack of power, faulty flywheel and fuel injectors. Although you cant find fault with the roof rack, which is not a Fiat design. Worst of all you can’t find anyone to buy it off you, not even the local scrapyard and car thieves won’t touch them!