Hi folks, thinking of returning to Fiat ownership after many years.

Images attached as I can't do URLs yet.

Currently looking at an Early Punto Evo GP, Multiair to replace a Yaris


As I'm an Aberdonian I'm looking for bargaining points to get the price down a little.

Can't test drive the car as currently the alternator is seized ! But having cut the drive-belt the engine sounded ok, but didn't want to run it on battery power too long. The garage is going to fix that for my return.

I'm trying to put prices to the cost of some bits and looking for input.

Only the 1 "basic" key, so I'm thinking £300 to erase all keys/ and get a replacement flick/remote key, I guess dealer only.

Left hand "kick panel" next to bonnet release needs replaced so £20 off the evil bay.

The hatch lid, seems to be missing something as it unlocks, but you need to use the wiper to raise it, there is a V shape in the trim that looks like it needs something, again £20 off online. Whats the name /p art number of whats missing ?

No signs of cam belt change in 9+years so that needs doing, water pump at same time, £100 for bits, I can do it myself.

It has Blue&me with only the USB/Bluetooth that I can see, never saw a Aux jack.

Recently had a rebuilt steering column, and front springs, so that's a plus. Sump looks ok from ground level, exhaust/brakes look newish.

Do the dashboards suffer from any lost pixel problems ? It looked ok.

Hi.

A used FIAT is generally a budget purchase.. so dont feel bad

Ok 1st:

The multiair is a complex bit of kit..

It uses oil pressure to control the fuelling.. with special oil spec


If the car has really been run on the bare minimum of servicing.. this could be a worry

Ok..the car itself:

Its a Grande Punto underneath..joint venture with vaux Corsa D.. chassis parts are cheap ( cost and quality..)

Do scan the yellow header in Grande section.. some great info there

A good checklist of common issues

Siezed alternator : the scuttle drain dumps water straight at it..
again.. couldve been avoided with the modified hose FIAT sell..

I bought a cheap diesel GP..

LEARNT about all the common failings.. then bought my son a tidier one.. knowing what to check for..

They are a reasonable cheap car.. but beware of paying too much


Charlie

The tailgate.. push FIAT button

Latch opens.. gives a small gap as bottom.of tailgate..(no handle..)

Remote key.. yes @£300

There is a budget option.. but knock them down

Im seeing a work list already at £600

Is there meant to be some sort of spring operated lifter to allow you to get hand in gap ?

Sorry about the MSPaint diagram.

To answer my own question, but part number 51757671 Tailgate plunger

Don't you love russian parts websites

Sounds like its in very poor shape? I hope its very cheap or else walk away, why is the alternator seized, and who cuts the belt to show it running ? where are the other keys? why missing bits and damage, from my experiance in the motor trade albeit many years ago, I would put money on this having been a repossession and it will not have had a good life, probably a basket case, I'd walk away, Actually I'd run not walk.

AndyRKett said:

why is the alternator seized, and who cuts the belt to show it running ? where are the other keys?

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Seizing seems to be a common problem, water from the screen runs down directly onto the alternator, there is a part (51810013) that cures the problem. Belt was cut by the garage to allow the car to run. Car has been sitting outside over the Xmas/New year break, they tried to move it to allow me to test drive it.

Keys I'm not sure about, that's why I was wanting any keys erased if possible.

Damage looks like someone has stood on the end of the sill inside the car and cracked the part, I would plastic weld it to be honest. Not sure about the hatch plunger being missing.

If it was a repo wouldn't the V5 document show it being owned by the finance co ? Also all the documentation is there, service book has a full set of stamps, all done by Fiat dealers. Along with the invoices for column and front spring. Nothing indicates the belt being done, and again that's something I would do myself to be on the safe side.

The car physically looks in good condition, no dents, one small stone chip on bonnet, thats been touched up, alloys show no damage. Inside its also in good condition, no damage to any fabric, or visable parts. You need the passengers door open to see kick panel damage.

But if I can get the price on or below £2000 with a little talking I think thats a fair price.

No, the V5 shows the “keeper” not the legal owner.

If you buy any car on finance it is registered in your name not the finance company. That said new logbooks/V5 do not have the details of the previous owner like they used to.

Water and alternator problems might have been common on the Grande but this problem was well and truly fixed by the time the Evo came along.

Everything about this car screams walk away. Actually the dealership cutting the belt just so you could test drive it is such a botch I wouldn’t want to have anything to do with that dealer. What dealer doesn’t start their stock every now and again to either rotate it or at least make sure it works if a customer wants to buy?!

Well car 2 was no good either.

Bodywork was "tired". Interior looked like a builders van. Plasterboard chips in the spare wheel well, what looks like plaster dust ingrained in the rear seats.

Engine sump was very rusty, was scared to touch incase it started to leak.

The problem with the majority of
'Used car dealers..'

They buy a batch at auction.. condition is patchy..history is unknown

Personally I would rather buy privately..
You get to see the person thats driven it for months.. not minutes

And the money you save will go towards repairs..warranty.. or both

The 'cheap' used market privately up here is quite scarce tbh. Too many cars on three year finance. There's a lot more if you get to the Central Belt. There will be a very nice Panda 4x4 for sale on Wednesday in Aberdeenshire

I've seen a third, but currently it has a "blackbox" fitted for insurance purposes. So waiting to see what loom damage it leaves when its removed.

Correct on the cars up here I'm travelling to Dundee/Perth to see cars.

My wife's last 4 cars have all come from South of the border.

Those cars are TEN years old.. so will have 'had a life'

Easy to find one thats not had an owner every 9 months

I actually find Ebay is ok.. view..and drive car before auction ends
..
You know EXACTLY how much to bid.

Best round here these days is Facebook. Gumtree & Autotrader have very, very little. Not much better on eBay for amounts available for low money. That said I'd have no problem buying on eBay.

Ken 555 said:

I've seen a third, but currently it has a "blackbox" fitted for insurance purposes. So waiting to see what loom damage it has..

My wife's last 4 cars have all come from South of the border.

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Some just plug in OBD socket

Are you looking at 'just' petrol EVO?

varesecrazy said:

Some just plug in OBD socket

Are you looking at 'just' petrol EVO?

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This one is fitted beside the battery/fusebox.

Yes looking at only petrol cars, preferable a multiair, 1.4.
Also needs to be a 5 door car.

Ken 555 said:

This one is fitted beside the battery/fusebox.

Yes looking at only petrol cars, preferable a multiair, 1.4.
Also needs to be a 5 door car.

Click to expand...

Hopefully just a GPS one with a power connection then?