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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

STILO

It's a great, practical estate, with the emphasis on value for money

Used Fiat Stilo Multiwagon 2001 - 2007

It's unfortunate for Fiat that, historically, its used cars generally haven't held their value well. However, that's great news for used car buyers. Depreciation on a new Stilo Multiwagon averages around 60% over three years, which means there are plenty of bargain buys.

A poor performance from the Stilo in JD Power customer satisfaction surveys has also helped to make the car less attractive, further pushing down prices, so make sure you haggle hard for a good deal.

The car's running costs shouldn't be too much of a problem, either. Insurance groupings are low, and fuel economy on the diesel is over 50mpg, whichever power output you buy, so you can expect to go a long way between fill-ups. Petrol versions return somewhere in the mid-30s.

Parts and repair costs are no worse than average, but there are plenty of independent Fiat specialists around who will be cheaper than the franchised network.

It's a great, practical estate, with the emphasis on value for money

Launched at the end of 2001 (on a 51 plate), the original Multiwagon line-up included a pair of 1.9-litre diesels with either 80 or 115bhp. A 120bhp diesel replaced them both in December 2005.

There were also two petrols - a 1.6-litre with 103bhp and a 133bhp 1.8-litre - which were axed in September 2005 and December 2003 respectively. They both rev keenly, which is just as well: you'll have to drop down the gearbox to get more revs when you want to climb up hills.

From all these engines, our choice would be any of the diesels. Fiat's JTD units have a great reputation and excellent fuel economy.

As well as picking your engine, you also have a choice of three trims: Active, Active AirCon and Dynamic. All feature remote central locking and electric front windows, and we'd recommend the second as the best compromise between kit and cost, although only the latter version comes with alloy wheels, climate control and a CD player.

If you're looking for the ultimate load capacity, avoid models with the optional sliding rear bench, as it doesn't fold flat like the standard fixed one. You might also want to look out for higher-spec trims which have one potentially useful feature: the glass opening separately from the rest of the rear tailgate. Whatever combination you pick, avoid going to a main dealer to buy - there are plenty around at second-hand dealers

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

Sadly, the Stilo seems to conform to all the negative images some people have of Fiats. For instance, it was rated in the bottom five overall in the 2006 JD Power customer satisfaction survey, and 19th out of 20 models in the Small Family Car category.

Owners reported a host of niggling problems with their vehicles, but if you buy a used one, hopefully at least some of those issues will have been sorted out by the previous owner.

Also, make sure you find out from the previous owner if there have been any problems with premature tyre wear, as some Stilos suffererd from faults in the suspension.

Finally, there was an issue with side airbags accidentally deploying which sparked a recall from Fiat UK. If the car you're considering was among those affected, check in the service log that the sensor has been replaced before buying.

Properly known as the Multiwagon, the Stilo estate is a thoroughly practical family car. It has a very low boot floor, which is excellent for getting cargo in and out, and the sides are flat, so you can make the most of the available space.

There's plenty of room for passengers, too, and drivers will appreciate the fact that the steering wheel adjusts for both rake and reach, while height adjustment on the driver's seat makes it a very comfortable place to sit. The layout of the cabin could be far simpler, however.

Drivers will also appreciate the engines, all of which rev smoothly and make a nice noise when they are working hard. That said, the petrols feel rather weak in this estate.

Worst of all, like the Stilo hatchback's, the estate's ride and handling are distinctly average. In particular, when you drive the car hard through a series of bends, the body is poorly controlled, and lurches around uncomfortably.

Used Fiat Stilo Multiwagon 2001 - 2007 reliability

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Used Fiat Stilo Multiwagon 2001 - 2007 review

Sadly, the Stilo seems to conform to all the negative images some people have of Fiats. For instance, it was rated in the bottom five overall in the 2006 JD Power customer satisfaction survey, and 19th out of 20 models in the Small Family Car category.,Owners reported a host of niggling problems with their vehicles, but if you buy a used one, hopefully at least some of those issues will have been sorted out by the previous owner.,Also, make sure you find out from the previous owner if there have been any problems with premature tyre wear, as some Stilos suffererd from faults in the suspension.Finally, there was an issue with side airbags accidentally deploying which sparked a recall from Fiat UK. If the car you're considering was among those affected, check in the service log that the sensor has been replaced before buying.

What to look for when buying a Fiat Stilo 2001 - 2007, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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Used Fiat Stilo Multiwagon 2001 - 2007 reliability

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