Fiat Punto 199 facelift 1.2 8V, 69 PS, 5-speed manual (2010–2012)

Research for this car

• Generation guide Fiat Punto 199 (2005-2018): known problems and buying guide

  Check the power steering and the Dualogic gearbox first, then the suspension, the window and lock electrics and the clutch.

• Engine guide Fiat 1.2 8V petrol engine: problems, costs and what to check

  Belt due at 5 years or 120,000 km. Oil use and Dualogic gearbox faults are reported. Buy with a belt invoice and a gearbox test.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Turn the steering to full lock while stationary, then drive slowly. Heavy steering, a sudden loss of assist or a warning light means the power steering is faulty. A scanner reads the fault memory. Check the battery charge first: a weak battery can trigger the fault.
2. Drive over bumps and turn the wheel on full lock. Knocks, clunks or vague steering mean worn joints, tie rods or shock absorbers. Look for oil on the shock absorbers. No tools needed.
3. Pull away from rest several times. If the revs rise but the car does not speed up, or it judders when pulling away, the clutch is slipping.
4. Test every window, the central locking and the tailgate, with the key and the switches. If a window fails, start with the driver's door switch. A tailgate that does not open may have a faulty latch or a rear washer pipe that has come off. No tools needed.

From the engine guide

1. Belt record and engine code (no scanner). Check the code on the engine: 188A4 or 169A4. Ask for a dated invoice with the mileage of the last belt change. Bad: no record, or more than 120,000 km or 5 years since the change.
2. Water pump (no scanner). Check the coolant level when the engine is cold, and look under the car for wet stains near the pump. Bad: low coolant or a wet stain. Ask whether the pump was changed with the belt.
3. Oil level (no scanner). Check the dipstick and ask for the oil top-up history. Bad: the level falls between services.
4. Recall check. Enter the VIN in the official recall check for the car's country. Bad: an open campaign on the car.

Running costs

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

ADAC versions