Seicento Rescued Schumacher Edition Sei

Hi all, returning to the forum after a long hiatus (other cars owned/moving house/bereavement/graduation, etc, etc).

My returning area of business is that I've just bought my Niece's Seicento Michael Schumacher Edition from her when she happened to post on her Facebook page that she was going to scrap it after it received a "poor bill of health" from her local mechanic after taking it for a check when she noticed it had been overheating and generally becoming unreliable.

She has owned it for a few years and I must admit to being a bit envious of it as I like the Sei and I like Michael Schumacher, so I wasn't passing up the opportunity. However, I was sceptical that it was a genuine Schumacher Edition, but the logbook seems to support this. I haven't actually seen the car to check for the edition number, etc. I hope to bring it to my lockup from where it is currently parked, a journey of ~240 miles. The poor bugger also seems to be having an identity crisis with its badging - the Fiat, Seicento and Sporting badges have been removed by an earlier keeper, a gigantic Michael Schumacher decal has been put on the back window (the factory fit one was too subtle for someone I guess) and there are Abarth stickers all over it. I know that the Schumacher/Abarth kit are the same, but I don't think the car left the factory with both!

The wheels have been painted black, although it is not possible to tell from the level of detail in the photos if it is a good job. The centre caps seem to have been painted over...

Here are the known issues with the car at present:

Niece's mechanic findings (his words)

• Car overheating in traffic - coolant fan needed
• fuel injection kit needed
• starter kit needed

I'm not sure how much credibility to place in these findings- fuel injection and starter "kits"...

From past experience, heuristically, I would say it is more likely that:

• The fan fuse, otterstat or fan wiring/multiplug is faulty.
• 1 or more injectors have failed or that the car is in limp mode (see last MOT findings below).
• I'm not sure what the starter issue may be, possibly starter motor earthing/battery contacts.

Last MOT Advisory Items (March 2014):

1. OSR wheel bearing slight play
2. OSF ball joint dust cover damaged
3. OSR suspension arm bush deteriorated
4. Engine management light on
5. Sill covers fitted
6. Slight knock from steering
7. OSR knocking
8. Lights and battery secured with cable ties

The MOT issuer is the same individual who came up with the items in the first list. It seems fairly likely that items 3 and 6 are related and that item 4 is related to one or more presenting behaviours. Two things amuse me from this - Firstly, "Sill covers fitted" (unsure if kick plates or side skirts are being referred-to). I would not have expected a factory-fitted item to flag an MOT advisory. Secondly "Lights and battery secured with cable ties". The previous MOT lists "battery not secured" and it is this garage who fitted the cable ties! My faith in this garage's competency is fragile at best.

Other items:

• Possible speedometer inaccuracy (reading lower than actual speed). My niece noted this when driving the car on the motorway, followed by her partner in another car. She noted that the speed error was around 10MPH too slow. The standard wheels and tyres are fitted, so I must consider that the speed sensor or speedometer are faulty. I am wondering if this sensor could throw up and engine management light.
• Front bumper tow-eye insert loose. it's difficult to tell from the photos, I am unsure if this is the insert or damage to the bumper itself. My niece has decided to secure it with highly covert black insulation tape.

I intend to the read the ECU fault codes when I get to the car. I must also consider that the car may have been cooked from overheating, possibly resulting in head gasket failure, which I will assess with a compression check and coolant/oil inspection. I shall check the speedo accuracy with a satnav.

I'm really looking forward to cracking on with this