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Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

MULTIPLA

A more individualist approach to people-carrying

Used Fiat Multipla MPV 1999 - 2004

You may be pleasantly surprised at the price of a used Fiat Multipla. They lose value very quickly from new, but then tend to stabilise over the next few years.

So if you're canny, you can buy a one- or two-year-old for a bargain price, run it for a few years and flog it on without suffering too much of a loss.

Insurance and fuel costs are reasonable, too. The petrol versions come in for groups 7 to 9, depending on how plush they are, and the diesels group 8 to 10. The diesels should also give you low or mid-40s to the gallon, the petrols about 10mpg less.

Servicing won't hurt your wallet, but expect to save about 35% on labour costs by going outside the Fiat dealer network, according to Warranty Direct data.

A more individualist approach to people-carrying


There's not much choice - one petrol, one diesel and only a few trim levels. Not to worry - there isn't a dud among them.

The 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol is eager and revs easily, which is just as well - you'll need to work it hard if you're fully laden. Perhaps more importantly, it's also the cheaper buy.

However, the turbodiesel is more relaxing and, ultimately, our favourite. The refined 1.9 JTD (102-115bhp, depending on its age) has good mid-range pull, but the fact that it gives an extra 10mpg is the clincher for us.

The entry-level model (badged SX on early cars, Dynamic on later models) has all the essentials for family motoring, including air-conditioning, so there's little point in spending more. But, for the record, top-trim ELX (early cars) and Eleganza (later ones) come with alloy wheels, climate control and electric rear windows.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.

Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.

But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.

There aren't any major scares, but owners complain of niggling faults that often boil down to the car not being well built in the first place.

Take your time inspecting the cabin and check that anything electric still works. JD Power customer surveys have criticised the durability of the seat materials and trim, and there have been problems with switches, especially the electric windows.

Because it's a wide car, also check the door mirrors for damage and ensure you can adjust them easily. Likewise, watch out for scrapes on each corner of the car and check that the doors haven't been dinged, which is easily done in car parks.

The petrol and diesel engines should be robust given regular servicing. But, beware of a blowing exhaust on the petrol - it's a one-piece design and not cheap to replace.

Fuel systems can give trouble, too, according to Warranty Direct data, so avoid any car that sounds rough, revs reluctantly or idles poorly.

The quirky, bug-eyed styling of this original car divides opinion like few other cars. You'll either love it or hate it. And, that's in complete contrast to the face-lifted car, which replaced it in 2004. It has a conventional (read 'dull') Fiat face, which you'll neither love nor loathe.

There's plenty to love elsewhere in this model, though. Having two rows of three individual seats works extremely well and the seat backs fold to create a table. There's still a decent boot with all six seats in place.

The driver won't complain, either. Although the car's width can be a hassle in town, he'll find it easy and fun to drive. It's very stable, handles and rides well, and scores highly for long-distance comfort.

In that respect, the engines are a big help. The petrol and diesel are both willing and get on with the job quietly.

Used Fiat Multipla MPV 1999 - 2004 reliability

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Used Fiat Multipla MPV 1999 - 2004 review

There aren't any major scares, but owners complain of niggling faults that often boil down to the car not being well built in the first place.,Take your time inspecting the cabin and check that anything electric still works. JD Power customer surveys have criticised the durability of the seat materials and trim, and there have been problems with switches, especially the electric windows.,Because it's a wide car, also check the door mirrors for damage and ensure you can adjust them easily. Likewise, watch out for scrapes on each corner of the car and check that the doors haven't been dinged, which is easily done in car parks.The petrol and diesel engines should be robust given regular servicing. But, beware of a blowing exhaust on the petrol - it's a one-piece design and not cheap to replace.Fuel systems can give trouble, too, according to Warranty Direct data, so avoid any car that sounds rough, revs reluctantly or idles poorly.

What to look for when buying a Fiat Multipla 1999 - 2004, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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Used Fiat Multipla MPV 1999 - 2004 reliability

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