Fiat Scudo road tests and consumer car reviews

Fiat Scudo 1.9d el 2003

Never missed a beat, all it’s had in 50k is two sets of front tyres (still on original rear Michelins 5mm) one set of front pads, exhaust repair and thats it. Had it now for 7 years (53 plate). Been serviced but only minor eg. oil/air filter etc . Still on original battery, bulbs the lot. OK it’s not fast but it pulls and returns 35-40 mpg or 50+ on a run. I like a new van like the next guy but this is a friend and I can’t bring myself to part with her. I will hold on to this van as I know getting such a reliable bullet proof motor that will do 500k with ease (taxi drivers) will be hard to come by. This engine is going to be legendary and it’s only emissions that killed it off.

Fiat Scudo 120 combi 2008

My 2008 plate 2l diesel has done approx 65000 miles, on my 3rd rear anti rollbar, several sets of suspension bushes have been fitted, intercooler exploded at approx 30k, currently waiting on a front lower suspension arm and cv boot to arrive and be fitted under warranty. I also suffer from clutch judder when leaving junctions and every day it has a new clunk or bang from somewhere. It’s being used as a taxi in Lancaster, a very popular choice for taxi’s in this town but every time I go to the dealers with it they have a stack of taxis in there for warranty work. Loads are suffering from flywheel/clutch replacements, anti rollbars, bushes, instrument clusters packing up. One of my friends has been in for all these faults and is now being put on a jig as they suspect the wheels/body is all out of line, its going back to Fiat under the consumers act of unfit for purpose.

Fiat Scudo 2007

As far as comfort goes, the Fiat Scudo has none. After a 3 hour journey your entire lower back and legs ache badly, both driver and passenger. The most comfortable area of the vehicle seemed to be plywood decking in the rear, the seats in the front are made from stone, which is possibly also the reason behind the lack of fuel economy. It seems a 2.0 litre petrol Audi has far better economy. When handling speed bumps at high speed in central London, the van performs nicely, the suspension taking the pain well. The only problem here was the lack of a partition between the driver and rear, though having said this we could avoid flying objects using the rear view mirror, which the rest of the time would look at the rear of the van having no windows!! Finally the cup holders seem capable of holding nothing more than a shot glass.

Fiat Scudo 2lt ELX / JTD 9 seats 2006

I looked at many people carriers and vans but this Scudo licks them all, very quiet and the two litre diesel multi jet turbo has loads of power and comfy spacious driving position. It has all the mod cons and looks good too although I don´t like the newer version with big lights and the loss of the small side forward windows but this 2006 car/van is ace, love it to bits and my mates want one too.

Fiat Scudo 1.9d 2001

I bought mine from new in 2001. Currently I have clocked up 225000 miles. It uses no oil, i’ve had no leaks, it’s never broke down once. I’ve just serviced it my self, changing the oil every 5000 miles and I have fitted a new set of heater plugs at 180000 miles, this thing is bullet proof. No rust whatsoever and has never failed an mot, a fantastic van!

Fiat Scudo 2007

My previous Scudo was brilliant, the new version has been a lot of bother. It has spent about six weeks at the main dealers, two oil leaks, windscreen split down the middle, rattling heat shield, suspension knocking noise still unresolved, exhaust gas recycle valve replaced after vehicle engine cut out several times (very scary on roundabouts with no power steering!). Also economy mode is frustrating, after being parked for ten or fifteen minutes with engine off, radio goes off and windows will not wind up. So, if you’ve had a break you have to start the engine to shut the windows before you get back to the job - some economy. Still not a bad van though, maybe I just got unlucky.

Responses to this review

I'm interested to read that several other people are complaining about the suspension as we also have a 57 plate Scudo 120, which we bought new, that does very little hard work. We have recently noticed that the suspension is knocking yet again, as this is not the first time we have had this issue! Fiat replaced the anti-roll bar bushes on the van when it was just 6 just months old! Now its 2 years old and has just had it's second service; now the knocking noise is back! We have been told by Fiat that this is now going to cost £pound300 to repair . However, when we asked Fiat if there is a general problem they have said no(surprise) - John Wright from Warwickshire

I was interessted to read your review and curious to know if you have experienced any hesitation in acceleration at 2000/2250 revs? Something that is apparently related to EGR. I have an 07 Scudo and have had nothing but trouble with it including 3 clutch/fly wheel assembly, 2 turbos, continuous anti-roll bar bushings, broken cam shaft wishbone and now this hesitation, which is not registering on their computer - Ged Carter from England

I have a 120 57 plate that has done 46k miles as a taxi in York. I have all the same problems. It’s about to have its 2nd set of anti roll bar bushes but they tell me that now its in its 3rd yr of warranty it doesn’t cover wear or tear; its last set were fitted only a year ago. It has clutch judder but only when it is sat in traffic, it performs ok when driving normally but as soon as it hits slow traffic the clutch starts juddering like mad. It pulls to the left also, the front end shakes on acceleration in 2nd gear, the engine revs on its own when changing down gears and there’s a real bad engine flat spot when changing from 1st to 2nd gear. The dealer said its probably the EGR valve? The driver’s seat belt fell off, the brakes are rubbish and there is a different interior rattle every day (no exaggeration). The centre armrest has broken, the ariel disintegrated when the jet wash flashed over it, once turbo kicks in it kicks black smoke out and its fuel economy is ranging from only 23mpg to 35 mpg around town. I went to the main dealer today to book it in for the work and they tell me the 3rd year warranty only covers broken mechanical parts and not things that are worn, i.e. anti roll bar and clutch; if the clutch was worn it would judder every time not just in traffic right? The only good thing i can say about this 120 is it's a nice looking thing - Gary Wrigglesworth from Yorkshire

Fiat Scudo 2008

My Scudo has had 3 clutches. It has covered 16,000 miles and has also had 2 drive shafts. It still shudders on take up of clutch. HELP!

Fiat Scudo 120 Comfort 2008

Really surprised me! Had a VW Transporter before and this wipes the floor with it. Never missed a beat in 60000 miles.

Fiat Scudo 2.0 JTD Dynamique 2005

Bought 2 and had them fitted with freezer units - one has 210,000 miles - the other 110,000 miles - no problems - never let me down - fantastic vans and will buy 2 more when these are 5 years old - clutch changes can be expensive but hey - they do what they say on the tin!

Fiat Scudo 1.9 EL 2003

Best little van I have ever bought!!! MPG-Excellent, better than Ford Connect. Drive-Excellent, better than Vauxhall Combo. Spacious, 3 seats, twin side loading doors, CD player, airbags, PAS, Thatcham approved alarm and immobiliser as STANDARD!!! You can also get the van serviced at any Peugeot / Citroen / Fiat dealer for £99!!!!

Fiat Scudo 2000 jtd 2006

Never been disappointed by it. It starts, it goes. It’s broken down once in 102,000 miles when the exhaust fell off. It has no mod cons... no air con, or even central locking but the twin sliding side doors are a real bonus. Will get another one when the lease is up later this year - it has been much more relible than the Transit and Combo I had before - FACT!

Fiat Scudo stj 2.0 2006

I purchased my Scudo 3 years ago now. I am on my third instrument cluster and the speedo has packed in. Fiat vans are a total waste of time - keep well clear!

Fiat Scudo 2.0 JTD 2004

Oh dear, where do I start! From the moment of picking up my van I had trouble but I put the vast majority of the problems down to the dealer. Total incompetence. I know that anyone can buy a jinxed van but when the van is returned to the dealer five times and they still don’t cure ANY of the faults, then you really are stuck. I even tried rejecting the van which was my right- the law, unfortunately is an ass because I would have had to return the van then buy/hire another whilst fighting for my money back. I decided against it. You know what they say FIAT stands for: Fix It Again Tomorrow - but, in my experience, that isn’t true because they don’t fix it. I would advise anyone thinking of buying one not to.

Fiat Scudo 120 lwb 2007

I bought from new 20 months ago. I am now on my 3rd clutch, the air con is broken and am now awaiting parts. I’ve had a new radiator, the headlights flash on their own and Fiat do not know what is wrong. It took 3 months for them to get the bluetooth working. I can’t fault the drive of this van but it’s not that quiet. Don’t buy.

Fiat Scudo 2.0 2008

I had van new in 08 - worst van ever - pulls to left, seats worn out, paints patchy... oh, the best bit is it does 22 mpg. Fiat vans are a joke, fly wheel went - clunking noise at front. It had only done 10000, god knows what it will be like at 50000. DON’T BUY ONE! They’re scrap.

Fiat Scudo 2.0 multijet new model 2007 onwards 2007

I have had this van for almost a month and a half now, picked it up new with delivery mileage on the clock. From day one the van pulls severely to the left and is physically harder to steer to the right as opposed to the left. Visited the dealer twice to have the problem remedied (tracking, steering alignment, etc) problem still exists, even had the service manager out for a road test and was told these vans are harder to steer to the right than left and the camber of the road causes the van to pull left. I took the opportunity to independently road test 2 other identical vans and guess what? ....... they do not have any of the symptoms of my van.

Fiat Scudo 1.9D 2007

I’ve had this van for 8 months and it is the best little panel van out there, in my opinion. Firstly, the cabin is designed like a car so it’s very easy to drive and extremely comfortable. It also has an amazing load space for such a small van and Fiat have really thought out their design well. I actually enjoy driving this van, rather than just having to, to do my job. Very stylish too. 5 out of 5!