Fiat Punto road tests and consumer car reviews

Fiat Punto Dynamic 16v 2002

I have read loads of reviews about the Fiat Punto 2002, and infact about all cars. Complaints here and complaints there. Its sad to see that car owners attribute errors to the car type. All cars break down, and the cheaper the car the more they break down. My Punto for example, has had 3 new exhausts pipes, 2 clutches, new hand break cable, a new sensor, because it wouldn’t start when it was warm and other small wear and tear stuff. The AA man has helped me start the car because of the above faults, 4 or 5 times. It doesn’t matter, the car has done 101000 miles and when it drives it is a great car to drive. Ok so the endless amounts of squeaks and noises, may become annoying, but I love the car’s handling, response time and overal driveability. There is not a lot of roll in the car, but the suspension is soft, makeing it a very comfortable ride. The MPG I can get the Punto to 55MPG, but average about 40MPG in the City. I was unlucky to have the number of faults that I had, but it doesn’t matter. I am a big fan of the Punto, and enjoyed driving the car, and I think people should stop complaining about how poor a model of car is, when it is really only a select few cars (of any make) that go wrong. I would buy a punto again quite happily. And I would probably encounter different problems, because its a different car, and not because its a Punto.

Fiat Punto 2008

Fiat Punto 1.2 is a load of rubbish, it runs at 3,000 rpm off and on instead of ticking over. MPG is not even 38mpg where these people get 60mpg I just don’t believe it, driving on the flat at 55mph I can not get over 45 mpg. I had the car in the dealers they charged me £1,006.29p to change two sensers on the carburetor top part (its fuel injection but the thing that looks like the carb under the air filter. After 2 days went back no good revving again on start up they changed other sensors and tuned it £475. I went away, couldn’t get 45 mpg and the same fault. Went back and moaned I spent £1,500 here and the service and MoT last month, which cost £623 makes it over £2,000. WHAT A USELESS CAR THE PUNTO IS AND ITS ONLY DONE 30,000 MILES. THE WORSE CAR I HAD IN 50 YEARS MOTORING TOTAL RUBBISH I WILL SCRAP IT THIS WEEK.

Responses to this review

This car was made for Italy, here we have Km not Miles. It is the way you drive, why don’t you drive a R.R. (Real Rubish). Are you sure you put petrol in the car? I have a Fiat Punto and I can only say it is value for money, it is very much like a Mini, great fun to drive! - Abby Normal from Italy

Fiat Punto 2001

HATE this car! My mother brought this car in 2001, by the time I past my test I decided to buy the car off my mum and have it as my own. Even though it lasted 7 years on the 8th year, everything started going wrong. The first problem was my gasket; the engine coolant light came on and it kept revving up. After this was the battery, which was then replaced. Following this was my HT leads, as every time i would get in the car, it wouldn’t start up properly. From this the starting motor went, this also had to be replaced. From that my car slowed right down when i was driving it & cut out, this was due to the timing belt, which had only recently been replaced when they did the gasket. Thinking that things were ok with it by now, my headlights started to dim even more! Then surprise surprise the car wouldn’t start again. took it to the garage, which seemed like the hundredth time were i was told that it was the alternator. replaced that! (also the battery AGAIN, as apparently it was scrambled by the volts) All was well for a month then then my car broke again!! Gasket again! Thinking that everything would be fixed, I decided to drive on the motorway (started not driving as much as was scared that the car would brake & i’d have to phone the RAC one again!) the engine coolant light turned red (which is normally when the gasket is on it’s way out) it then made a funny sort of creaking noise coming from under the bonnet while smoking wildly as I was driving. I then had to pull over on the motorway! Later, i found out that the engine needed replacing!! This was enough & i sold the car without an engine. After all the money, time & energy I have wasted with this car i would never encourage anyone to buy one! If you do, I’d advise you to get RAC breakdown cover as they come in REALLY handy!!!

Responses to this review

You say it was a 2001 model.... That makes the car 9 years old when it started having trouble. What do you expect? They don’t last forever. I have a 2004 Punto and it is absolutely perfect! Not had even the tiniest problem with it! It is a joy to drive and insure, it looks the part over similarly priced cars in its sector and the 1.2 that I have is particularly economical. And at approximately £3500 when it was bought last year it was a bargain! Im sorry, but I can’t see how you can justify advising people to avoid the Punto based on your unfortunate experiences with a 9 year old car - Gregor from Perthshire

Fiat Punto 1995

I can’t go out at night anymore because of the crappy lights, I can’t see a thing. Are puntos made with dim lights or something? I even bought bright bulbs and it seems the actual lights don’t let any light through, its so dangerous. I have a 95. Also it keeps overheatin and making strange noises but think it’s because it’s getting old. Does anyone else have a problem with night driving?

Fiat Punto 2006

Great little car for running around town. Annoying ’vibration’ noise when driving. Seems to be coming from drivers side dashboard area? Garage cannot find where problem is anyone else had any problems? Also problem with the airbag light [drivers] staying on, can anyone help please...

Responses to this review

Hi, my Clio had the airbag light on and my garage didn't know what it was but eventually we rang Renault and they said that it's where the wires are under the passenger seats. I had put a CD case and it had moved the wires. Maybe if you store anything under your seats then move it and adjust the wires to see if that helps? Kate Duffy from England

I have a 52 punto and mine makes a strange noise as well. I think mine is coming from the radiator or something because it only makes the noise when I turn the heater on, which is all the time now. Yours might be the same thing? - Beckie from Lancashire

Fiat Punto Active sport 1.2 16v. 2004

2nd punto after my original 1.2 8v....loved that and this made a tidy little upgrade, looks the part, drives a dream and is a fantastic run around for both town and long distance driving!

Fiat Punto Active 1.2 Stripe 2008

Fiat Punto Active 1.2 Stripe - Bought my car in Feb 08 brand new - had no problems - very smart little car - more space than you would think - boot’s a bit small - road tax is cheap and fuel consumption is even better - an all round good car.

Fiat Punto 1995

Car of the year in 1995, the Fiat Punto lives up to its recognition even now. With the 1.1 fuel injected engine ticking over with all the tightness of a car half its age. The car being Italian it is obviously not well built and were I to crash it I would be almost definitely dead within a second but you still can’t look past the sheer vitality and energetic nature of this all time great. As well as good looks the car has monumental speed still at its old age, with the engine managing 110mph even now. This car will one day be a classic and I know now that I love it to bits.

Fiat Punto mk2b 1.25 16v active sport 2005

I have a 2005, mk2b 1.25 16v active sport Punto... It’s fantastic!

Fiat Punto 1.2 Active 2003

Bought my Punto in 2003 with 199 miles on the clock. Has a full Fiat service history until this year when local garage did the pre MOT service and found the horn not working. I’m just about to have the faulty radiator fan replaced, all in all, not bad repair record for a 5 year old car. Really nippy around town and easy parking with the city steering on. My trusty little steed has taken me all around the UK both with and without the kids!! I bought my Punto after using the works one and guess what my next car will be - you got it!! A Punto :)

Fiat Punto 2002

Bought the car 6 years ago and I can honestly say that I have totally enjoyed it., A nippy wee car and it’s taken us up and down Britain over the years; Blackpool, Liverpool, Hastings, Brighton. Oh canny forget Saltcoats - all being well we will pick up our new Punto on Monday - can’t see us changing makes ever again.

Fiat Punto 1.2 Active 8 valve 2008

Have had this car from new, has had new clutch under warranty and cooling fan at 13000 miles. It gets serviced annually. Since then I find the car is a delight to drive, a nice gear shift, smooth and and quiet nippy too. Cabin well put together, no rattles. Overall, very pleased with this car.

Fiat Punto Sporting 16v 2000

I bought this wonderful car from new. I have had problems with the head gasket [as per other people] but I have been absolutely enthralled by its style [which still puts more modern cars in the shade] and its performance. It seems to have a restrictor that curtails rapid acceleration up to 105mph but its real character shows when you drop down to third from forth, the car just flies! Unlike some, I find the extra width of tyre on road gives the driver the feeling of sticking to the road. There is very little roll and it’s an absolute pleasure to corner in this very safe-to-drive and value-for-money superstar. I make any excuse to drive the thing - Fiat got the design really sorted with galvanised bodywork that doesn’t have a hint of rust after eight years! I’m keeping mine as I’m sure it will be a "classic" in years to come. Economy - even though it’s a 1.2 multi-point ’injection’ carb., I get fifty to the gallon on a run, wow! It’s all true...............

Fiat Punto 1995

We had a head on crash with the back of a lorry in ours - not at fast speed 20/30mph and the car crumpled like paper. There seemed to be no safety in it whatsoever. Luckily the children were unharmed in the back, but the front of the car just gave way and the lorry demolished the front of the car where I was sat. Lucky to be alive - no thanks to the lightweight Punto.

Responses to this review

The car crumpled like paper because it was designed to do so- the reason why you are still alive is because as the car crumpled it absorbed and dissipated the energy produced as a result of the opposed forces generated by the crash thus decreasing the force transmitted through the cabin into your body - Richard from England

The guy’s got a point. I’m sure you would rather the engine was dead rather than your face, watch crash tests and you’ll see how it’s not really the car’s health that you should be worrying about - Adam from Hampshire

Fiat Punto 2005

The car was good ... until I had a steering wheel failure while on a curve and the steering blocked and I crashed heavily into the wall ... this was on my 25000 km and the company said it happened after the crash .... and once the brakes pipe had leakage and I lost the brakes as well so I don’t think these things can happen with another brand at 25000km

Fiat Punto 2007

Only just bought the car this week, hopefully I’ve made a good choice plenty of room for 3 kids. Some reviews are good but on other web pages the reviews are pretty bad hope I’ve got myself a good car and that it turns out to be a reliable wee runner.

Fiat Punto 2006

Love it. Small car, bags of space, room for the three kids and dog. Husband says he looks like a boy racer car but loves driving it also.

Looks good , Drives well, Quick of the mark and feels safe. Allrounder family car thats cheap to run.

Fiat Punto 2003

Love my punto - only just got it though so might feel different after a few months - one thing i have noticed is that it seems to be chugging a lot.

Fiat Punto 2003

I have owned my punto active 1.2 8 valve for 3 years covering 57000 miles.I have only had one problem the radiator fan needed replacing. I have a full service done every 10000 miles not the reccomended 12000 as I drive it very hard.

Fiat Punto 2000

Head gasket has gone twice.

Fiat Punto 1.2 Active Sport 2007

Reliable, smooth ride yet also quick off the mark. Spacious and nicely equiped with alloys, MP3 player and leather steering wheel. Stylish is the word.

Fiat Punto Active 1.2

I have owned my Punto for 4 years and has been reliable throughout. I have had some problems in the last 6 months which is just normal wear and tear stuff that is expected with any vehicle at 4 years old and not had a lot of service history (oops). All in all it has been great and would consider getting the new punto as fiat have improved on looks and functionality recently.

Fiat Punto

Great car, reliable, versatile. I learnt to drive in it. No troubles with it. Rides high so although it is a small car you don't feel you are about to get crushed when in traffic!

Fiat Punto

Having heard of previous build quality issues I approached the prospect of Fiat Punto ownership with a little trepedation I must admit! I have however been pleasantly surprised, a spirited engine, excellent interior space and touch wood nothing going wrong so far, have made buying the Punto a decision I haven't yet come to regret.