Fiat 126 Hatchback
  • Economy

    Costs

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Cheap to buy and cheap to run.

  • On the road

    Driving

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Steering wheel occasionally comes loose, adding to driving excitment.

    Performance

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Standard engine didn't have enough power to drive even a sewing machine, so an outboard 27-litre Rolls Royce Merlin Spitfire engine was added.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Only broken down twice, once with a gear selection problem and the latest was a suspension failure which sent the car straight to the scene of the accident.

    Comfort

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Depends where you are sitting.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    5 out of 5 5.0

    No one would want to steal it in the first place.

    Service

    1 out of 5 1.0

    Fiat dealership laughed me out of the garage when I asked them to service the 27 litre engine.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Not powerful enough so changed - see above.

    Other

    Tire blowout at 170.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    New

    Would you buy the same model again?

    Yes

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes