Punto (Mk2/2b) Buying 1.4 Sporting - what to look for?

[Westbeef]

Hi all, first of all I'm new here so just saying hello.

I'm after a 1.4 sporting and I will be viewing one on sunday. It's 2004 with 12 months MOT and a service history but I'm not 100% how much history yet. Its done just over 70k miles. I'd like to know what to look out for with these as it's my first Fiat. Excited though as after looking at these online they look like a very good car.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi, and welcome,

pretty good sound used buy,
however at 10 years old it's going to have some wear and tear,

look for signs of oil / coolant consumption= head gasket = mayo,
test the clutch and gearbox thoroughly,

ask about cam-belt and water pump - as it'll be expensive if they fail,

check all dash lights and gauges..good idea to check all exterior lights too,

check tyres for uneven wear, and are fitted in Pairs--hint at crash damage/ poor alignment.

check the V5 for Category listings..!!

Charlie

 

[Westbeef]

Hi, and welcome,

pretty good sound used buy,
however at 10 years old it's going to have some wear and tear,

look for signs of oil / coolant consumption= head gasket = mayo,
test the clutch and gearbox thoroughly,

ask about cam-belt and water pump - as it'll be expensive if they fail,

check all dash lights and gauges..good idea to check all exterior lights too,

check tyres for uneven wear, and are fitted in Pairs--hint at crash damage/ poor alignment.

check the V5 for Category listings..!!

Charlie

Thanks, sorry for what could be a daft question but what's a mayo and how do I check it?

 

[KRaikkonenNo1]

Thanks, sorry for what could be a daft question but what's a mayo and how do I check it?

No need many people often don't know what it is...mayo is a white, creamy substance that is usually kept in a jar in the fridge...quite nice infact



But seriously, to check it just take the oil cap off and see if there is any white, creamy "mayo" like goo in there, if not then shouldn't worry about that issue.

 

[varesecrazy]

it looks like mayonnaise / salad cream,
white goo , in the oil filler cap - on top of engine,
undo the cap as soon as you view the car..give it a wipe clean of oil /goo with a tissue,
then run the engine, test drive etc.. ,
then check it again, any white goo ..walk away you could be facing a £350 bill straight away

 

[Westbeef]

So it quite literally means check if the past owners put mayo in that may be leaking out?

 

[KRaikkonenNo1]

So it quite literally means check if the past owners put mayo in that may be leaking out?

Mayo was previously used as a substitute to oil, so this could well be the case something to watch out for...

 

[a1ant]

Hi mate ,

In addition....

The car has Electric Power Steering. Make sure it is smooth from lock to lock and that the warning light is out. Switch on the City mode (button on far left of centre console by hazard switch) and again make sure it's smooth from lock to lock.

Check underneath by the sills for rust, as this is starting to creep in now on the mk2/ 2bs.

Make sure that if possible it has 2 functioning keys. If not factor in that these can be expensive depending on where you get them from.

Check that the gearstick is smooth and free moving when in neutral and springs back into the centre.

Be wary of a car with an aftermarket head unit, as depending on how it's fitted if it's not been done correctly it can cause faults on the CAN network.

If it has air con, switch it on (press the fan speed switch and the light in the middle should come on) listen for the compressor to engage and engine rpm to raise slightly. If it doesn't the aircon will need some attention.

Check the wipers. They are prone to linkage failure. Check for free play if you can.


Alan

 

[benny279]

On the "mayo" subject, i like it on my kebab and chips after a night out!

a serious note, sometimes you may get mayo residue on the cap if you do a lot of short journeys to a shop thats only a few yards down the road! when i brought my punto it had it, and then seller said he used to go 5 minutes down the road to work and back....that aint even out of the the auto choke! anyway......

nothing further to add.,....

















:devil:

 

[benny279]

Check underneath by the sills for rust, as this is starting to creep in now on the mk2/ 2bs.

Mine failed on this today!

you could literally stick your hand up there and touch the inner chassis! completely rotten all way long, guy even said thats patched the more he grinded off the chassis more rotten metal he found, until he found the point where it was all good. thankfully driver side is all perfect never mind the passengers especially if its your missus

 

[Westbeef]

Thanks for the replies guys I'll let you know the outcome Sunday afternoon if not I'll be searching for another one as I'm set on one now.

 

[s and b]

Thanks for the replies guys I'll let you know the outcome Sunday afternoon if not I'll be searching for another one as I'm set on one now.

not good sellers these
give seller a good kicking if you decide to purchase
remember your country needs you

 

[Westbeef]

not good sellers these
give seller a good kicking if you decide to purchase
remember your country needs you

They do seem cheap compared to other similar age cars.

One I'm looking at is listed at £1500, and I'm Pxing my 2003 1.2 polo which idles on 2 cylinders and when I rev the 3rd kicks in. Any idea how much I can get him down to and what to ask for mine? I could sell it for £1200 in good running condition.

 

[s and b]

They do seem cheap compared to other similar age cars.

One I'm looking at is listed at £1500, and I'm Pxing my 2003 1.2 polo which idles on 2 cylinders and when I rev the 3rd kicks in. Any idea how much I can get him down to and what to ask for mine? I could sell it for £1200 in good running condition.

if he knows his polos he wont want a 3 pot wonder
how vw get away with these things amazes me but there you go
whats it worth
well anythings better than scrap value and a sausage sandwich under the back seat i guess
play cool
he might be a schmuck

 

[dave]

knock him down to 800, keep the polo fix it and sell privately or ebay it as needing repair.

to give you an idea of what they are worth this one was perfect and didn't get bid any where near 1500 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-FIAT-PUNTO-SPORTING-1-4-16V-RED-/131060949440

i think that may even still be for sale as last i read i think buyer was a no show. the seller is a member here and on puntomk2.co.uk

 

[Westbeef]

knock him down to 800, keep the polo fix it and sell privately or ebay it as needing repair.

to give you an idea of what they are worth this one was perfect and didn't get bid any where near 1500 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-FIAT-PUNTO-SPORTING-1-4-16V-RED-/131060949440

i think that may even still be for sale as last i read i think buyer was a no show. the seller is a member here and on puntomk2.co.uk

Took it to a garage and it's the cylinder/piston that's the problem so it's not worth fixing. Hoping to have him think I'm thick and make him believe it's just a spark plug/ignition coil.

 

[Westbeef]

Car was lovely, no problems as mentioned so I took it. He's going to MOT it and service it, also will change the cambelt on it too! Paid £900 plus my broken polo

 

[varesecrazy]

trader..??

not a bad deal if so..as you'll have some comeback if it's a dog..!!

EDIT = maybe not if he's hoping to get the polio fixed and sold by tuesday..!!,
Charlie

 

[Westbeef]

trader..??

not a bad deal if so..as you'll have some comeback if it's a dog..!!

EDIT = maybe not if he's hoping to get the polio fixed and sold by tuesday..!!,
Charlie

Yes a trader and he knew there was a problem with the Polo, I didn't expect the Punto to be so quick . The trader also said he is planning on auctioning my Polo anyway.

 

[s and b]

Yes a trader and he knew there was a problem with the Polo, I didn't expect the Punto to be so quick . The trader also said he is planning on auctioning my Polo anyway.

yes they are quick but plenty of wheel spin on take up too i find
still prefer the multijet diesel 1242 nicelight engine lots of go go go

trader sounds like you've found a good one too,i hope he legs a nice private punter into your cesspit polo who thinks he will be able to retail it from the roadside income tax free but finds hes lost his underpants