The guides are worth a look as pretty much all of the regular GP issues apply to a T-Jet too. Mine has given me less grief than the 1.4 8v I also have, that ate a gearbox at 65,000.
Rear lights corrode and cause strange things to happen (usually split rear washer hose), heater resistor if non Aircon, top mounts will probably need doing, broken springs, bad thermostats, leaking radiator, goosed turbo and cracked exhaust manifold, clogged or worn out oil separator, lower rear engine mount, sticky rear calipers, drop links, leaking oil cooler, leaking rear shocks.
That about covers the issues I've sorted with my two cars.
T-Jet has never broken down or failed to start and GPs are fairly easy to work on. Some T-Jet specific parts, mainly suspension are dealer only and extortionaly expensive, buy Bilstein and Eibach as replacement. If you need an exhaust, go custom as they are pricey too. Manifold cracks are quite common, manifests as boost fluctuations and generally crack underneath so hard to see on car. Fit latest spec modified manifold from non MA MiTo or Abarth 500 with IHI turbo if replacing. Turbine housing also cracks, small cracks are OK, large ones not good. Mine was almost in bits when I changed it, available from Italy for £80 ish. B&M may also need updating too.
Check it has had the timing belt done, if no evidence do it asap. Make sure the garage doing it has the correct locking tools and ask to see them before handing over keys. Expect about £200 in labour.
Cheers
Ben
