My wife has 2004 Fiat Punto Sporting she has owned since new.
The car has served us well until we found out today during a service that the front subframe is corroded. This is not surface rust but severe rust in more than one area (i.e. there is actually a hole in it) that will ceratinly mean it will fail its next MOT, the rear subframe is also showing signs of corrosion but this is more surface rust than severe corrosion. The garage thought this was unusual as the car was only 6 years old and otherwise in very good condition. They suggested that the car must have been driven in a salty water environment but when we told them that we had owned tha car since new they were very suprised and think that this should not have happened in as little as 6 years.
It may not be relevant but whilst we have had two other strange things when having maintenence on the car. Firstly, when the original exhaust was replaced the exhaust centre found that the exhaust was not the one they expected on a Punto Sporting and said they would have to fit a replacement which is more expensive as the brackets were in different places. We didn't believe them and took it to another garage not mentioning what had happened. The second garage ordered the exhaust for a 2004 Punto Sporting and only when they went to fit it found it was not the same part. They eventually sourced a suitable part somehow using the car registration rather than their usual guide.
A similar thing happened when the rear brake shoes were changed. In short, the brake drums are not the ones you would expect to find on any Punto. The garage had to order larger brake shoes accordingly.
Our real problem is with the short lifespan of the subframe (cost of replacement over £900 as part approx £500 incl. Vat + labour approx £400). I thought I would mention the exhaust and brake issue in case anyone could throw any light on why our standard UK Punto Sporting bought Brand New from a Fiat dealership does not seem to be standard at all.
Has anyone else experience this rusty subframe problem on a relatively new Punto or other Fiat? Any advice would be appreciated.
The car has served us well until we found out today during a service that the front subframe is corroded. This is not surface rust but severe rust in more than one area (i.e. there is actually a hole in it) that will ceratinly mean it will fail its next MOT, the rear subframe is also showing signs of corrosion but this is more surface rust than severe corrosion. The garage thought this was unusual as the car was only 6 years old and otherwise in very good condition. They suggested that the car must have been driven in a salty water environment but when we told them that we had owned tha car since new they were very suprised and think that this should not have happened in as little as 6 years.
It may not be relevant but whilst we have had two other strange things when having maintenence on the car. Firstly, when the original exhaust was replaced the exhaust centre found that the exhaust was not the one they expected on a Punto Sporting and said they would have to fit a replacement which is more expensive as the brackets were in different places. We didn't believe them and took it to another garage not mentioning what had happened. The second garage ordered the exhaust for a 2004 Punto Sporting and only when they went to fit it found it was not the same part. They eventually sourced a suitable part somehow using the car registration rather than their usual guide.
A similar thing happened when the rear brake shoes were changed. In short, the brake drums are not the ones you would expect to find on any Punto. The garage had to order larger brake shoes accordingly.
Our real problem is with the short lifespan of the subframe (cost of replacement over £900 as part approx £500 incl. Vat + labour approx £400). I thought I would mention the exhaust and brake issue in case anyone could throw any light on why our standard UK Punto Sporting bought Brand New from a Fiat dealership does not seem to be standard at all.
Has anyone else experience this rusty subframe problem on a relatively new Punto or other Fiat? Any advice would be appreciated.
