Lancia Ypsilon
Robust Fiat FIRE 16V four-cylinder with timing belt drive and two overhead camshafts. Long-lived and low-maintenance with regular timing belt changes (no later than every 120,000 km or 5 years). Ignition coils and valve cover gasket are the most common failure points at higher mileages.
Best petrol in the range
70 kW and 16V give the Ypsilon genuine momentum — the most entertaining engine choice.
Engine Weaknesses 3
The timing belt must be changed no later than every 120,000 km or 5 years. If overdue, from short-trip use or with storage damage, a snapped belt causes total valve train damage. Special tools are required for valve timing.
Symptoms: No warning symptom before failure; then immediate engine shutdown, no restart possible.
The 16V engine uses two dual ignition coils (cylinders 1+3 and 2+4 respectively). Cracks or age fatigue in a coil cause combustion misfires, indicated by engine fault codes P0300–P0304.
Symptoms: Engine warning light flashing, judder on acceleration, rough idle noise, poor cold-start behaviour.
At higher mileages the valve cover gasket hardens along with the crankshaft seal in the camshaft sprocket area. Oil drops on the underside and an oil film on the engine block are typical.
Symptoms: Oil smell in the engine bay, oil film on the engine block, occasional smoke when oil drips onto the hot exhaust system.
Vehicle Weaknesses 9
EPS control unit or electric motor faulty — steering becomes extremely heavy. Frequently from 80,000 km. Replacement of the steering module costs 600–1,200 €.
Brake lines rust preferentially at the plastic retaining clips on the underbody. On older vehicles the entire brake system including wheel cylinders must be checked for corrosion.
Door lock actuators fail individually — door can no longer be locked/unlocked by remote or interior button. Driver's door most commonly affected.
Plastic window regulator guide breaks — window drops into the door or jams. Typical Fiat/Lancia defect on the range.
The front control arm rubber bushings wear prematurely and become sloppy. Anti-roll bar bushings also tend to crack. Typical knocking when going over bumps.
Shock absorbers tend to develop leaks from around 100,000 km. Vehicles at MOT are frequently flagged for worn dampers. Aftermarket parts are available.
From around 8 years of age, the sump tends to rust through. The subframe and exhaust manifold are also corrosion-prone. Lack of cavity sealing promotes salt damage.
Blower resistor burns out — fan only runs on the highest setting or not at all. A cheap wear part, but frequently affected on this model.
The plastic headlight lenses yellow heavily due to UV exposure. This impairs light output and leads to MOT failures.
