Used FIAT Bravo/Brava review and buying guide (1995 to 2002): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Fiat Bravo/Brava should you buy?

The 1.4, 1.6 or 1.9 diesel is the lesser risk, as long as there's a receipt for a recent belt change. Every engine shares the same timing belt and plastic tensioner weakness, so none is trouble-free, but on these a belt change is a normal workshop job. On the 2.0 20v five-cylinder HGT it isn't: the engine has to come out, so leave that one alone unless the belt's just been done.

The three-door Bravo is the better-looking car, while the five-door Brava's the practical one. The Brava can get pushed about by side winds on an open road, and one owner of a three-door 1.4 found there wasn't much room in the back. Plenty of UK cars started out on rental fleets, so expect knocks and scuffs inside from careless hirers and their kids.

Cars from December 1998 could have the 1.2 16v, but it's had throttle body, throttle potentiometer and air pressure sensor problems, so it isn't a better buy than the 1.4. Earlier cars have a different worry: a plastic thermostat housing that can cause localised overheating the gauge doesn't show, which can end in a blown head gasket. That doesn't rule out an early car, but it makes the oil cap check below essential.

Which Fiat Bravo/Brava engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The 1.4 and 1.6 petrols and the 1.9 diesel are the lesser risks, as long as the belt history is up to date. Every engine in the range has a timing belt with a plastic tensioner pulley that can break up with no warning, and Fiat cut the original 72,000-mile change interval to 36,000 miles or three years after a run of failures. Stick to the shorter figure, whatever the last owner did.

Avoid the 2.0 20v five-cylinder HGT unless the belt paperwork is fresh. Even a planned belt change means lifting the engine out, and a broken belt usually wrecks the valves. On every engine the belt also drives the water pump, so a leaking or seized pump can throw the belt off. That's why the pump should be renewed along with the belt and tensioner, not left for later.

The 1.2 16v has had throttle body, throttle potentiometer and air pressure sensor faults, and there are reports of the wrong size pistons going into some 1.2 engines, so it's a weaker buy than the 1.4. There's little against the 1.9 diesel apart from the shared belt problem. Nothing singles out the gearboxes, though one 1.4 owner found the clutch twitchy and easy to stall.

What should you check when viewing a used Fiat Bravo/Brava?

Ask for a receipt showing the timing belt, tensioner and water pump were done within the last three years or 36,000 miles; without one, get it done before you drive it far. Ask for proof of recall work too: cars from 1996 and 1997 were recalled because petrol could reach the brake servo diaphragm and take away the power assistance, and 1.4 and 1.6 cars with ABS were checked in 1998 for chafing brake hoses.

With the engine cold, pull the oil filler cap and look for creamy, mayonnaise-like sludge, a sign of overheating and a failing head gasket. Listen at the belt end of the engine for a rattle or squeal, and look for coolant weeping from the water pump. Regular oil changes matter on these, because carbon can build up in the pipe feeding oil to the camshaft, so the service book should show them.

On the drive, sudden cut-outs or rough running point to a failing engine speed sensor, which a small number of cars have had, or to the belt itself. Ask whether the HT leads have been renewed; they've been reported failing early and can go on to damage the catalytic converter. Make sure the original red key comes with it, check the bonnet catch works, and try the air conditioning, electric windows and sunroof where fitted.

Listen for creaks and rattles from the trim, try every electrical switch, and look at the coil springs for breaks. The dash-top cassette lid is the first thing to snap, so check it opens and shuts. One owner found that changing a dipped beam bulb means taking the front bumper off, so a blown headlight bulb isn't a quick roadside fix.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What do Fiat Bravo/Brava owners like about them?

The steering's sharp and quick to respond. The driver's seat and steering wheel adjust fully on every version, so it's easy to get comfortable whatever your size. The three-door Bravo's the one with the looks, and the five-door Brava's the easier one to live with if you're carrying people regularly.

One owner who covered 70,000 miles in a 1.4 over almost three years needed nothing outside routine servicing except a bulb and a pair of front tyres. The same owner found the 1.4 surprisingly lively when worked hard. At the top of the range, the 2.0 five-cylinder HGT is a quick, well-balanced hot hatch.

• The Bravo three-door offers appealing styling, while the Brava five-door provides practical usability for owners.
• This model features responsive, precise steering, an intuitive dashboard layout, and highly adjustable, comfortable seats and steering wheels.
• A 1.4 three-door Bravo covered 70,000 miles over three years with only two front tyres and a bulb needed, achieving 44mpg.
• The Bravo/Brava achieved an excellent reliability rating in a 2003 index, with Fiat having low average warranty claim costs.