Fiat Grande Punto road test reports and car reviews

Fiat Grande Punto 1.3 DIESEL 2006

I bought a second-hand Grande Punto from Stonearce Wrexham in January of last year. All was well for 3 months when the passenger side shocker spring broke. Got that fixed, then 3 months down the line the door handle broke, after paying 160 pounds for it to be fixed the steering fault light keeps coming on. I went to an independent garage and they said that the steering rack has broke. I am at my wits end with this car and I don't feel safe driving it. I paid for this car on HP for 5 years, i haven't even had it 12 months. I would never have another Fiat car again.

Responses to this review

I got a new Punto grande with only 1.4 miles on the clock when it arrived. I was made up with the new snappy hot little hatch diesel turbo, but after just 7 miles the abs light came on and passenger airbag failed, this was fixed, then at 160 miles the turbo gave up, since then Ive had nothing but disasters with the wretched car, the diesel pump is now leaking, the airbag is on and off when it wants, abs light comes on and management lights reset themselves. I wouldn’t have another one that’s for sure. A great car when its running right but that’s been less than often and it makes poor motoring when a car lets you down, especially when its been praised by so many people and you get a bad one. They call them Friday cars as everyone in the factory goes home early Friday - Michael Lyttle from England

Fiat Grande Punto 1.9 JTD Sporting (M-Jet) 2008

Bought the car in January 2008 from new and have covered 32000 miles in 12 months with no problems other than a new battery! These cars are fantastic regardless of engine size or specification. The 1.9 Jtd is seriously quick once moving (only group 6 insurance) and can blow off most 2.0 litre cars with out a problem and return 50 mpg on a run! Only thing I will say is that servicing costs are a bit steep!

Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 2009

This car is sluggish , it feels like the brakes are always on and so much condensation it sometimes rains inside the car. STEER CLEAR.

Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 2009

A great car with loads of space, great to drive and great fun.

Fiat Grande Punto 1.3 multijet diesel 2008

I bought it from new and it has got to be the worst decision I have made. There have been numerous problems with condensation, suspension , glove box and seat belt. At the moment I am considering taking it to another dealership because I am starting to have problems with condensation and a knocking noise at the rear. The condensation becomes an even bigger problem when the frost comes because it ices up on the inside of the windows. Therefore I need to scrape off the ice then wipe down the inside. For my troubles Fiat awarded me a £50 voucher (how big of them)Needless to say I will not be buying another Fiat ever again.

Responses to this review

Hi, I’ve just phoned up Fiat because I’ve just started having very bad condensation inside my car. They tried to say that this was normal, but I’ve insisted it’s not as the car is only 3 months old and none of the other cars on the road seem to be as bad as mine in the mornings. Did they ever get to the bottom of the problem with your car?. I have had a look at other forums and a lot of them are saying that if you have the air flow set to recirculation, this can be the cause of it. Mine is always set on that, so i’m going to give it a try - Patricia Hunt from England

You should NEVER have the heater set to ’recirculation’ - except perhaps if stuck in heavy traffic, to keep exhaust fumes out! It must always be on ’fresh air’. Try it - there will be no condensation, after your car dries out of course - Roy Allingham from Lanarkshire

My brand new Fiat 500 also has an extreme condensation problem, and I have also had to scrape solid ice from inside of windows. Glyn Hopkin had the car for 3 weeks and could not "recreate the problem". I had the car back for one day and took photographs of the problem! including condensation in rear lights. They just don’t want to know and do not return my calls, it’s been a nightmare and I wish I had NEVER bought the car. If you have an old reliable car my advice would be to hang on to it - Hayley Duncan from England

Fiat Grande Punto 1.9 Mutijet Sporting 2008

The best car i’ve had! So far had no problems during my 11000 miles of use. In my view the best looking car of its size and great value at £10400 for the 1.9 diesel Sporting, which has high spec and a super engine thats very fast and does 45mpg.

Fiat Grande Punto 1.3 M Jet Active Aircon 2008

I drove expensive German cars for over fifteen years but after having warranty issues with one of the big names I thought enough is enough. I had hired Fiats on holiday and liked them. I love my Grande Punto, is a capable economical and a well thought out drivers car. It’s not perfect but what is? I have paid more than twice as much for a car and it wasn’t perfect either. I paid extra for leather steering wheel and gear knob and through the lanes of Devon its performance and handling is not startling but competent and satisfying. By comparison other mass produced makes are very wooden and soulless.

Fiat Grande Punto 2008

I bought the Grand Punto brand new in April 2008. Early April 2009 I had to take the car back for a knocking noise in the engine. Fiat kept the car for 4 months. End of July 2009 and they called me to say the problem has been fixed and that it was the diesel quiality and the injectors had been fixed. Three days after taking the car I had to return the car again. I was without a car for for months and never did they ask if I needed transport. I approached Fiat head Office in South Africa and they gave me a courtesy car. God only knows when I will get my car back from Fiat; this is a car that I am still paying instalments on. This company sells c**p and the first thing I am going to do when I get it back is sell it and buy a more reliable brand like Toyota.

Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 8v 2008

Bought this car as an ex demo model - only done 5500 miles and handles really well round town with city mode on power steering. On the motorway it is smooth very quiet and the engine sounds like a dream!! Lovely car, highly recommended!