I have a problem with acceleration and was looking for some pointers to check. The car really struggles to pull away at lights and roundabouts. In first its just like trying to pull away in second and it takes a while to build up speed. On the way to work on the dual carrageway, I enter from the slip road and its only a small incline for about 1/2 mile but I cant get the car over 50 although my foots to the floor. It really is not a joy to drive at the moment, the engine seems fine, no blue smoke so I suspect the problem lies somewhere else.

pothole

Is this a change from how it used to be?

Perhaps some detail about the car might help here. Like model, cc, year, mileage, SPI, eletronic ignition or points, etc etc?

I dont know how the car used to be as I have just bought it, it is a Uno 45 Fire 999cc 1990, mileage is 80,000, carb and points. I am no mechanic but I know my way around a car, so what do I look for.

pothole

All the usual suspects:

clogged air filter
clapped out HT leads
gummed up carb jet(s)
clapped out/mal set points.
lack of use...

All the things which a good service would catch - generally old FIATs are ignored for a long time before they are sold on.

While you're on check the drive shaft boots and gearbox oil level: it might save you looking for a gearbox. It's filler plug is 12 mm hex.