I'm going to have a look at a 2008 1.4 Dynamic manual, 1 owner car with 75k tomorrow. Is there anything particular to this model that I need to look out for when inspecting / test driving it? Thanks in advance.

1. Electric steering working on both settings
2. Interior fan works on all settings
Rear doors open ok (dodgy door handle mechanics).
3. Suspension knocks.

To that I would add:

Check the electric windows from BOTH switches (driver and passenger side)

Turn the steering wheel slowly from side to side whilst stationary and listen carefully for any odd noises. (could either be steering column or front strut top bearings)

Look in the fuse box (under the bonnet) for signs of condensation (the lid is awkward to fit correctly because the bonnet release cable is in the way).

Make sure that the car engages first and reverse gears easily without crunching (slave cylinder can leak)

Obviously, check ordinary service history for cam belt, oil changes etc)

Check the sump for rust.

Check that the handbrake is reasonably effective.

If you can get it in the dark, check tha tthe backlight illumination for the dashboard and heater control switches works.

Use all the lights and make sure the bulb failure warning light doesn't come on.

Give the main battery earth cable a wiggle and check for good contact on both the body and the gearbox.

Check service history. Ask why they are selling it.
Ask if there are any faults or any thing that's been fixed recently. Ask if it's had the clutch replaced, probably due soon at that age and mileage.
Check the engine oil, if it's black like bovril- don't buy it.
Remove the oil filler cap and check for Black Death, if it's not had many oil changes then they tend to go black and crusty inside the cam cover, under the oil filler cap.
The variable valve timing relies on a good clean oil supply to work correctly.
Check the cooling system, ask if they have to top it up. Make sure the heater is blowing warm air after road test.

Thanks for the replies. The car is to replace my wife's 2002 Punto which has been no trouble apart from the steering column issue - it sounds like Fiat have carried this proven poor part over to the Grande! Is this model worth looking at as a used buy? - it doesn't fare very well in reviews I've read.

Great car, usually the owner that causes a lot of faults with poor maintenance or no maintenance. Find one with good service history and should be ok.
No car is perfect, they all have faults, fiats are cheaper to buy than most and usually cheaper to fix than most too.

RoyBGood said:

it sounds like Fiat have carried this proven poor part over to the Grande!

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Only until mid 2008 (2Y Grande Punto 2005-2008), try to get one after 06/2008 to avoid this problem (4C Grande Punto 2008-2009), the steering column was changed afterwards (different OEM part code).

It's worth buying a used Punto if you like it, if it's just going to be a tool to take you from point A to point B and there's no emotional attachment you would be better off buying a Skoda.

Buy a skoda if you want a boring car with no style and generally driven by people wearing Tena.

Thefox said:

Buy a skoda if you want a boring car with no style and generally driven by people wearing Tena.

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Hmm, yes, stereotypes...
The stereotype over here is that Skoda is a company car, some "stylish" people even turn away from it because of this and buy stylish cars like Citroen or Peugeot.
I've had 3 Skodas so far, a 2003 Fabia, a 2005 Octavia and a 2008 Superb. All bought new, got rid of the first two when they reached 300.000km.
You appreciate boring cars when you have to drive them a lot, these are built to last.

We're getting off-topic here, I love my GP to bits and would never sell it but if I would buy a used car for daily usage I would buy something else because I need to get to work EVERY day.

Thefox said:

Check service history. Ask why they are selling it.
Ask if there are any faults or any thing that's been fixed recently. Ask if it's had the clutch replaced, probably due soon at that age and mileage.
Check the engine oil, if it's black like bovril- don't buy it.
Remove the oil filler cap and check for Black Death, if it's not had many oil changes then they tend to go black and crusty inside the cam cover, under the oil filler cap.
The variable valve timing relies on a good clean oil supply to work correctly.
Check the cooling system, ask if they have to top it up. Make sure the heater is blowing warm air after road test.

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why are you selling it? thats a good question, like it even matters why, maybe cuz they wanna make money or wanna get rid of a **** car, no one will tell you honestly so no point in asking, or maybe he should kick the tires few times too