Hi We run two in our family, an 07 1.1 and 08 1.2. We've put 20000 miles on each and no trouble so far ( touchwood!). Brilliant little cars, 50 mpg and peanuts to maintain. I think you are over-worrying. All cars can and do fail, I don't think the power steering pump is a massive issue- as is the case maybe with VW 170 injectors - and in any case it's not the end of the world if it does pack in. Otherwise there's not an awful lot to go wrong, it's an non interference engine, so if the cambelt snaps, there is no major damage done. Parts are cheap and available. Tyres are 40 to 50 quid each, insurance group 1. Ours are 4 years old now and I think we're going to need a new exhaust back box soon ( about £30) and maybe some new bushes/droplinks in a few months - that's it.

From my frequent reading of the Fiat Forum website the thing most owners agree on is to avoid using the "city"function. This is used to lighten the steering at low (parking) speeds. Possibly this function puts more strain on the power steering pump. By the way,a lot of newer cars use electric power steering pumps,in fact I believe the Vauxhall Corsa D uses an identical pump and system to my Grande Punto.

thats good to know,, i knew about the city button, and thought thats just something else to go wrong!

Is there any way to know that the power steering has a fault or is likely to develop one on a test drive ...i.e. a bad noise, does it only make a noise at full lock etc...

I have had two, 55 Plate Eleganza bought new, traded in 07 for a 100 HP.

Both 100% reliably, nothing broke, fell off, only normal service items.

Cheap as chips to run, apart from the 100 Hp,s fuel consumption ( but i did drive that like i stole it )

If the pump packs up you can get it refurbished, i forget the company, but it has been discussed on the Fiat Forum. Avoid the main dealers; nearly a grand to replace.

Edited by Avant on 21/11/2011 at 23:25

and the consensus of opinion is that Jap engines are better suited to short journey/low miles driving than perhaps a Euro/fiat/pug/renault might be.....

Seconded. I've said this before and I'll say it again. My mother-in-law's Daihatsu Cuore does nothing but sit outside on her drive and potter down to the shops occasionally. I doubt it gets properly warmed through most of the time. It's been doing that for over ten years now with no hint of any problems.

But then, being a Japanese "kei" car, that's what it's designed to do.