Technical Standard Problems

[littleyellowcar]

Hey guys,

My brother is thinking of getting a Brava and has asked me to ask you lot if there are any "standard problems" that occur on them (like on a cinq the head gasket is pretty much guaranteed to go between 40 and 60K miles).

He is looking to be buying one about 5 years old.

Thanks for any help.

matt

 

[Helz]

One or two things, mostly minor: cambelt will need changed at about 40-50k, rear wiper motor tends to die very quickly, apparently the sunroof tends to leak, if he's looking at smaller engines then he's better buying a 1.2 than 1.4 on speed and economy issues. That's all I can think of right now, I'm sure some more experienced owners will be along son with more

 

[littleyellowcar]

thanks Helz,

He'll probably go for a 1.6 or maybe the diesel cos hes a family man with a dog!!!

matt

 

[shadymcrazy]

hey

a few more problems which may occur :

1. leaky sunroof - very common fault you know when it happens coz you either get a puddle of water in the front passenger footweld or the drivers!!! it's happened to me!!!

2. no rear wiper squirter - chances are the pipe has come off the connector this may happen wiv the front wipers too!!

hope that has helped you i'm just goin on wot i have experienced!!

 

[Thrisey]

Hi Ya

Rattles and plenty of them, tick over can be a bit erratic and I had a clutch slave cylinder go on my 1.2 sx. Electrics are suppose to be a bit iffy, I have had no real probs, interior light just comes on sometimes when driving and the radio comes on when left alone in car parks or on drive, so I take the front of it [aftermarket MP3 player] bit spooky but you get use to it.
All in all I have had car 8 months now, put about 7,000 mls on it, it was not really looked after that well when I got it. But it has done a fine job, fun to drive, looks good, quite and quick mine travels at 80mph @ 4000 rpm no probs, does about 47mpg, keep it to 60mph {end of pay month} and you will get 52mpg.
It's a little car with a big character. He’ll love it when use to it.
Down Side: don’t trust Fiat dealers, they rip you off. Door handles are crap, rubber perishes on them and I have trouble finding a mechanic to look after it in n.wales, looks like I will have to do cam belt myself, ho hum another learning curve coming up