Just my opinion, but if you feel like you've had enough of fiddling, fettling and fixing and are considering replacement, buy new with a full warranty, there are plenty of deals about, it shouldn't cost you much more.
Dealer pre reg'd are usually around 6 months old so you've lost a 6th of a Fiat warranty already and in 2.5 years it's out of warranty and due an mot.
I got to the same point, years of messing around with cars has taken it's toll and I just can't face it anymore.
Our Pop's steering rack is rattling and knocking, though it passed it's mot today and they told me what I already knew, there's a little lash in the pinion, I just can't face tackling it myself (and I'm not overly enthusiastic about taking it to be fixed, all that running around
)
We got shut of Mrs Goudrons Panda Lounge as soon as it was 3 and out of warranty, it only cost us £3500 in depreciation over the 3 years as we got it on a deal to start with and it's running costs were minimum, two services at £129 each, we only got the wheels refurb'd cos the mother in law was having it.
Same sort of deal saved us £4600 on her new Vitara, it was mad not to change, though I did hope she'd like a Kia with 7 year warranty!
My TA 4x4 is now nearly 3 and a half now, but I just can't seem to find a suitable replacement which is why it's still outside.
I've had a look at the new Swift with Allgrip, but it's no real ground clearance over the standard model.
I might wait and have a butchers at the Kia Stonic and Hyundai Kona when they are launched as they have 7 and 5 year warranties, though they'll need either 4x4 or some sort of grip control for my needs.