I have just got my first car, and it's a diaster area! The most recent problem I've got is I can't get my car into first gear very easily and am also having serious problems downshifting it into second, it's very difficult to do, but it is doable...does anyone have any ideas what this problem may be?

yea, any punto i have ever driven or owned are the same.
what age is the car or how many miles ?
maybe try changing box oil, might make it a bit easier

Start by checking the quantity/quality of the gear box oil.

Double declutching may assist meantime.

Cheers

D

On Fiats the clutch pressure plate fails before the friction plate so rather than slip it wont release.
Symptom gears are hard to select and will only go in reliably when the revs are matched.

If the clutch isnt 100% smooth all the way down (pedal feels lumpy and/or boingy) it may be failing. If the gearbox isnt damaged (by the driver forcing at the gears) eventually the clutch wont release at all.

The good news Fiat clutches last about the same as any other and its an easy job (low labour cost) and parts are cheap.