Hello - about to buy a Fiat Punto Easy..

[Laurenjademorg]

Hi everyone, previous fiat grande punto owner here. Mine was sadly written off last week so I’m about to upgrade and buy a 2013 Fiat Punto Easy I believe.
I went to see it today and loved it so I’ve put a deposit down. It had 1 previous owner and super low mileage. My question is (not sure if this is the right place) but I’ll give it a go anyway. Everything is fab and I’m really happy but the radio isn’t working. The dealership phoned and said the cd player and aux are both working but not the radio itself. Is this a big or small issue? Should I stay clear? Feeling super anxious as I’ve never spent money like this on a car so I just want to be cautious and ensure everything is okay first

Thanks in advance for any help

Lauren

 

[MaxHeadroom]

Sorry to hear that, Lauren.

I personally think the radio problem is a minor issue - I'd be interested to hear what others think. Either way good luck with the new wheels!

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi Lauren :wave:

The radio is in the same unit as the CD

So it obviously has power and speakers..
Should be relatively cheap and simple to replace..

It might have a poor aerial connection.. or be a fault in the cd.radio

Unit isnt worth fixing if faulty.

Check if its got a spare wheel..tool kit

Save you hassle of buying some if you need to use the old Grande ones

Charlie

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Yup, have a look see if it's got a spare. My boy's 2012 1.4 8 valve easy (VVT engine by the way) didn't. Mind you the tyre is a "sensible" size so new ones are reasonable prices or there are plenty in scrap yards. I made a fuss at the dealers where we bought the car (used) and they sold us a steel wheel at cost.

It's been quite a cheap car to maintain so far although we had to buy a new rear light unit because the LED side light had stopped working - you have to buy the whole light unit if this happens. By the way there seems to be a weakness with the earlier units which causes them to fail, Later units are modified in some way so I would probably not buy a used unit unless I knew it was from a late model year. S4p did us a pretty good price for a genuine updated unit which was "plug and play".

The only other problem I've had is that the factors seem to think it has the same fan belt as my 2010 Panda. Both cars have air con but the Punto belt is definitely slightly longer and the Panda one won't fit. The timing belt kit is the same for both cars though and there are plenty of discounted offers always available.

Regarding the radio. You talk about the money aspect as if it's probably quite expensive? have you googled the price either for other similar cars or on one of the car price guides? If you are paying top dollar for the car then the dealer's got a bit of a cheek selling it with a non working radio. If it's below the recommended value you've just got to make up your own mind how much you want it? I mess about with Pandas and my boy's Punto and their radios are coded to the car so, even if you disconnect the battery, the radio remembers it's code when the battery is reconnected. Maybe your's has somehow managed to "forget" it's code? But I don't think the aux and CD player would work. The radio and CD player will use the same amplifier section so I think it's quite likely you may find your problem is aerial related, quite possibly it's either come unconnected or has a break in the wire somewhere.

 

[Laurenjademorg]

Hi Lauren :wave:

The radio is in the same unit as the CD

So it obviously has power and speakers..
Should be relatively cheap and simple to replace..

It might have a poor aerial connection.. or be a fault in the cd.radio

Unit isnt worth fixing if faulty.

Check if its got a spare wheel..tool kit

Save you hassle of buying some if you need to use the old Grande ones

Charlie

Totally didn’t think about checking for the spare wheel! Thanks for the reminder!

 

[Laurenjademorg]

Yup, have a look see if it's got a spare. My boy's 2012 1.4 8 valve easy (VVT engine by the way) didn't. Mind you the tyre is a "sensible" size so new ones are reasonable prices or there are plenty in scrap yards. I made a fuss at the dealers where we bought the car (used) and they sold us a steel wheel at cost.

It's been quite a cheap car to maintain so far although we had to buy a new rear light unit because the LED side light had stopped working - you have to buy the whole light unit if this happens. By the way there seems to be a weakness with the earlier units which causes them to fail, Later units are modified in some way so I would probably not buy a used unit unless I knew it was from a late model year. S4p did us a pretty good price for a genuine updated unit which was "plug and play".

The only other problem I've had is that the factors seem to think it has the same fan belt as my 2010 Panda. Both cars have air con but the Punto belt is definitely slightly longer and the Panda one won't fit. The timing belt kit is the same for both cars though and there are plenty of discounted offers always available.

Regarding the radio. You talk about the money aspect as if it's probably quite expensive? have you googled the price either for other similar cars or on one of the car price guides? If you are paying top dollar for the car then the dealer's got a bit of a cheek selling it with a non working radio. If it's below the recommended value you've just got to make up your own mind how much you want it? I mess about with Pandas and my boy's Punto and their radios are coded to the car so, even if you disconnect the battery, the radio remembers it's code when the battery is reconnected. Maybe your's has somehow managed to "forget" it's code? But I don't think the aux and CD player would work. The radio and CD player will use the same amplifier section so I think it's quite likely you may find your problem is aerial related, quite possibly it's either come unconnected or has a break in the wire somewhere.

Thanks again for the spare wheel reminder! Forgetting obvious things as my brain is all over the place.

I’m not sure what a good price is for the car really, it’s a 2013 model that’s had 1 owner and has only done 42,000 miles - it’s listed for £3299 so I’m not sure if that’s above or below average?

I’ll have a chat with them tomorrow and see if they can make any headway. I just want a punto back hahaha.

 

[varesecrazy]

Thats towards the upper end of Pricing.. but its a low miles 1 owner car

Ive had my 2013 from new.. no issues

DO CHECK THE TYRES..

They could be the originals.. and will want changing soon..
As jock ssid they are 'sensible' sizes..

But you dont want another £150 bill almost straight away


Charlie

 

[Laurenjademorg]

Thats towards the upper end of Pricing.. but its a low miles 1 owner car

Ive had my 2013 from new.. no issues

DO CHECK THE TYRES..

They could be the originals.. and will want changing soon..
As jock ssid they are 'sensible' sizes..

But you dont want another £150 bill almost straight away


Charlie

I thought it may be, it’ll be the ‘newest’ car I’ve ever owned. Tyres seemed okay but I’ll give them a double check!

Thanks for your help

 

[PuntoHowTo]

If you are happy with all other aspects of the car and the only issue is the radio then I’d not let it put me off for a few reasons.

1. Fiat’s often have a rubbish aerial or crack at the base of the aerial so if could be something as simple as that to fix.

2. Fiat’s of this age are a very basic set up so it’s not like you’ve lost some high end radio unit that gives amazing sound.

3. Fists of this age don’t have DAB radios.....

What I would do if I were you and if the aux and other inputs are working is either buy something like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0787PGJQ3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_JRa1Fb1N389FC

Or like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078YP59TT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_tSa1Fb6SH9G8E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

And you’ll save a lot of money on replacing or repairing the radio you have but also you’ll gain features you’d have never had. Also the echo auto is brilliant if you’re subscribed to steaming services.

 

[varesecrazy]

Its a 'trade off'

The dealer wont know the car.. but will offer a warranty

A private seller knows all about the car.. but you have to buy 'as seen'

They are nice cars..
But were basically designed in 2005- fifteen years ago

My twinair is also similar age..miles and money


Have you checked the service book..?

At low miles it should have 6 or 7 stamps

You want to make sure brake fluid and engine coolant have been done..
Two to 3 year service life ( they pick up contaminants.. like the engine oil does)

Basic test.. undo the brake fluid cap

The fluid Should look like white wine

Between CLEAR and a light yellow

Brown is BAD..
black.. dont drive it.. !!