Hi,

My Seicento sportings just been for its MOT today, nothing unexpected (just 1 new tyre) except that it needs all its brake pipes replacing due to excessive corrosion. I can't really afford to spend £300 getting it done just yet, so I was looking around for prices on the web and came across a recall notice on VOSA & the AA's website for this exact fault.
I spoke to the garage and they said they'd heard of this before and to speak to FIAT, but FIAT are denying all knowledge. I know these cars aren't the sturdiest of machines but it's only (nearly) 7 yrs old and has only 50k on the clock so I would have hoped it'd last a while yet.
Has anyone come across this before or can offer any advice?

Any advice gratefully recieved!

Thanks,
Stacie

Reference : R/2000/117
Manufacturer Ref : 4089
Make: FIAT
Model : Seicento
Launch Date : 07/12/2000
Numbers Involved : 1084
Build Start Date : 01/01/1998
Build End Date : 31/12/1999
Concern : POSSIBLE CHAFING OF BRAKE PIPES.
Description : Possible chafing of front rigid brake pipes at near side front against the plastic wheel arch liner or against the gearbox mounting. Also at the off side front against the engine timing belt cover.
Remedial Action : Reposition any chafing brake pipe to comply with the manufacturer's prescribed clearance between adjacent parts. Renew any brake pipe that has been chafed beyond a serviceable condition.
Vehicle Id : ZFA187000000001 to ZFA18700000192967

chafing related not corrosion.
unfortunatly brake pipes can corrode in that time and TBH even with a full fiat history @ 7 years your not going to get free replacement on that.

LadyLib said:

I know these cars aren't the sturdiest of machines but it's only (nearly) 7 yrs old and has only 50k on the clock so I would have hoped it'd last a while yet.

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For something like this problem, if the vehicle is stored wet or outside, this can sadly speed up the process

They do seem to be toughening up on this: I tend to slap some paint on at the first sign of any corrosion (but not as a cover up).

It's an awkward rather than difficult job. You can buy a make your own brake pipes kit for less than £50. These tend to use copper, which is not only easier to bend, but won't rust.

Measure twice, cut once!

or if your ghost
measure
get them made up
measure the gap left
get patch piece made up

Thanks for all the advice guys. I knew it was a long shot, but I'm just disappointed with the car in general, loads of little things keep going wrong, guess I must just have been lucky with my old clio (RIP!) which never cost me more than £200 at MOT time despite being nearly twice as old as this one!

I'd like to do the 'diy' thing, but I know I'd probably just make it worse and having moved away from home, I can't really ask my mechanic Dad to do a 200 mile round trip to come and do it for me!

Thanks again,
Stacie

LadyLib said:

I can't really ask my mechanic Dad to do a 200 mile round trip to come and do it for me!

Thanks again,
Stacie

Click to expand...

Since when?

Cheers

D