(G) 2 years on and still grief!!!

rob19791 · 03-10-2008

Originally Posted by manthatkidisscrewed

I don't understand why you guys aren't refusing the car if you're really that unhappy with it?

I've heard that ringing Fiat directly gets you instant help because they're really trying to push their customer services image.

Some people ring them and get given replacement cars!!

Its not as easy as just handing it back....as i already know lol
Ive rang fiat uk several times....the finance company, the dealer i bought it from and some other motoring organisations but none of them help.

Fiat uk are not interested, they will pass the buck back to the dealer....and the dealer will pass it back to the finance company...who will pass it back to the dealer....who will pass it back to fiat....its like a never ending vicious circle lol.

Ive contacted fiat again asking for compensation and for a part refund for what i have paid....they rang me and told me they would look into my problems, which mean they will contact the dealer......and it will never get sorted lol.

Flappingwings · 03-10-2008

Originally Posted by rob19791

Some of you may remember me from 2006 when i first bought a grande punto.....and signed up to this website.

Well, the problems are still here!

Soooooo many things changed and repaired its hard to list...but il give it a go lol.

Dash board cluster
Door lock - twice so far
Glove box
Seat rails
Electric window switch
Electric window - the bit that makes it go up and down
Drop links
Bushes
Shock absorber - front offside
Steering shaft - being done today
Tyre - Worn out because of the pulling
Track rod ends?
Cd player - showed as a tape deck
Paint defects
Interior trim hanging off
Brake squeal
Dodgy clutch - DET said needed replacing....fiat wouldnt pay so it wasnt!
Broken blower vents
Flashing mileage - still not fixed

Plus many many more lol

2 years and 6 months later and im still having problems...losing money from work, and the expense of getting it to the dealership EVERY time they decide they know whats wrong with it.

My cars in again today for the......you wont believe this....9th time for the same fault! My cars pulling to the right.....quite badly, well badly enough that i wont drive on the motorway, and if you let go of the wheel while driving you are pulled into on coming traffic.

They have now decided that its the steering shaft that needs replacing.....9th time lucky maybe?

I think its time for me to take them to court and get some compensation for my time and for the inconvenience that they have caused....but first things first im going to get hold of fiat uk and see what they say, i must be honest im not expecting much from fiat......from past experience i have concluded that they are useless.

Well that my rant...thought id let you all know that im still alive and havent been put away for driving my car through their showroom window lol

With respect, why don't you just sell the car and buy another one?

It sounds like you've had a shocking experience, but i don't understand for the life of me why you still continue to put yourself through this - isn't it time to say, "enough is enough, let's cut my losses, and buy something else" - doesn't have to be new, or that good, but just anything that's reliable which you know will get you from A to B.

I rate and respect you for enduring the crap you've had from your car, but if i were you, i'd sell ASAP.

ChrisUK · 03-10-2008

Originally Posted by Flappingwings

I rate and respect you for enduring the crap you've had from your car, but if i were you, i'd sell ASAP.

Why should he be 'out of pocket' for someone else's incapacity to fix faults or give him a car fit for purpose?.

And this is his second car IIRC he had his first one replaced already by fiat which was a massive job in itself.

Get them to swap it for a 'sporting' and all will be well trust me.

manthatkidisscrewed · 03-10-2008

Originally Posted by rob19791

Its not as easy as just handing it back....as i already know lol
Ive rang fiat uk several times....the finance company, the dealer i bought it from and some other motoring organisations but none of them help.

Fiat uk are not interested, they will pass the buck back to the dealer....and the dealer will pass it back to the finance company...who will pass it back to the dealer....who will pass it back to fiat....its like a never ending vicious circle lol.

Ive contacted fiat again asking for compensation and for a part refund for what i have paid....they rang me and told me they would look into my problems, which mean they will contact the dealer......and it will never get sorted lol.

Oh right, I didn't realise that as i've heard otherwise from a few people...I'll remember that in future then

LastBlueMist · 03-10-2008

Hi Im new to this forum. I havent actually passed my test yet but was looking at getting a 1.2 grande when passed. I do not know much about cars so thought I would research a little. Sorry to hear bout all the problems. Its certainly made me think twice bout this car. Have you heard of Which magazine? They rate and review all sorts(cars, household goods, etc) and have a real clout. If you subscribe to them(its not much per year)you get a magazine each month but also they have a free legal assistance team. When you read some of the cases they win for their members and they guidence with regards to your rights as a consumer, it is very impressive. I know you are keen for 'publicity' to help your case it may be worth writing to them with your concerns, it won't cost you anything. Just a thought.

sledge · 03-10-2008

Lots of organisations offer free advice, but it is "advice"......they tell you what your rights are, what to put in letters and what procedures to follow. BUT they wont mediate, or raise a case and take it to court on your behalf for free. If you want a result you need a Solicitor.

For the benefit of those who think rejecting a car or claiming compensation is a simple and guaranteed process the basics are listed here....
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=43

Shropshire_lad · 03-10-2008

Originally Posted by sledge

Lots of organisations offer free advice, but it is "advice"......they tell you what your rights are, what to put in letters and what procedures to follow. BUT they wont mediate, or raise a case and take it to court on your behalf for free. If you want a result you need a Solicitor.

For the benefit of those who think rejecting a car or claiming compensation is a simple and guaranteed process the basics are listed here....
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=43

I was a regular subscriber to Which for many years...

I have read numerous occasions in their magazine when they have taken up cases for members and nearly always obtained a result.

I've seen similar cases in Autoexpress where subscribers have been helped by the publication, for free.

I'd be more inclined to seek advice from a reputable magazine before speaking to a solicitor...who more often than not give duff advice - also exposed in Which magazine!

Flappingwings · 03-10-2008

Originally Posted by LastBlueMist

Hi Im new to this forum. I havent actually passed my test yet but was looking at getting a 1.2 grande when passed. I do not know much about cars so thought I would research a little. Sorry to hear bout all the problems. Its certainly made me think twice bout this car. Have you heard of Which magazine? They rate and review all sorts(cars, household goods, etc) and have a real clout. If you subscribe to them(its not much per year)you get a magazine each month but also they have a free legal assistance team. When you read some of the cases they win for their members and they guidence with regards to your rights as a consumer, it is very impressive. I know you are keen for 'publicity' to help your case it may be worth writing to them with your concerns, it won't cost you anything. Just a thought.

To be honest mate, i've had the 1.2 just over a week now, and i haven't had any problems - buy the car brand new, it should be ok - insurance is very cheap for a new car.

I wouldn't let this one case put you off to be honest, but there you go.

wellfan · 03-10-2008

[quote=Flappingwings;1747718]With respect, why don't you just sell the car and buy another one?

It sounds like you've had a shocking experience, but i don't understand for the life of me why you still continue to put yourself through this - isn't it time to say, "enough is enough, let's cut my losses, and buy something else" - doesn't have to be new, or that good, but just

anything that's reliable which you know will get you from A to B.

Give me a shout when you find one like that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wellfan · 03-10-2008

Originally Posted by Flappingwings

To be honest mate, i've had the 1.2 just over a week now, and i haven't had any problems - buy the car brand new, it should be ok - insurance is very cheap for a new car.

I wouldn't let this one case put you off to be honest, but there you go.

Oh, to be young and innocent once again. How I love your belief!

**T14086** · 03-10-2008

Originally Posted by marty61

Mine is 2y3m old and i still have some faults that aint been sorted (flashing mileage, windscreen demister panel, clunky noise on cold start plus a few others. Car has been in and out of dealers since i got it @ 8m old and these have not been sorted so i dont expect they ever will. Ho hum

Such easy faults to sort aswell

Originally Posted by LastBlueMist

Hi Im new to this forum. I havent actually passed my test yet but was looking at getting a 1.2 grande when passed. I do not know much about cars so thought I would research a little. Sorry to hear bout all the problems. Its certainly made me think twice bout this car.

This is exactly what happens...we hear of 4 or 5 cases of people here having problems with their cars & it turns people off the product.

I know rob19791,wellfan,auto_blanco etc have had more than their fair share of problems but how many GP's have been sold since introduction, you have to put this into perspective not that thats any consulation to the above named members. Believe me I dread it when I log on & see a new thread from you guys with more problems...just wish you could all have a car you like/want to drive

marty61 · 03-10-2008

Originally Posted by T14086

Such easy faults to sort aswell

With the greatest respect to you T but if these faults are so easy to sort why don't they get sorted?. Ive been in and out of my nearest Dealers for over 18 months now and in all fairness to them they have fixed the majority of them but a few annoying ones remain. I'm not the only one to have persistent unfixed problems as this seems to be the case across the country. This is the first Fiat i have owned and it isn't going to put me off getting another one when the time comes. I just wish Fiat (not only the Dealers) would get their fingers out and give all their customers satisfactory after sales service. I'm not saying they don't in every case but there are quite a few unhappy Fiat owners of fairly new vehicles and in most cases it is with silly things that should be easily sorted out but are not for one reason or another. I love my car and i don't want a free car or compensation just my faults fixed. Not to much to ask is it

LastBlueMist · 04-10-2008

Originally Posted by sledge

Lots of organisations offer free advice, but it is "advice"......they tell you what your rights are, what to put in letters and what procedures to follow.

I might be missing the point here but wouldnt that be helpful to someone who wants to solve a dispute such as this, and ideally someone who doesnt necessarily want a long drawn out court case. In fact arent these the exact questions the original poster has been asking on this forum? Its not so obvious to everyone that phone calls are useless, official complaints should be in writing, qouting your rights(sale of goods act etc) and if needed threats of court action.

Every month I read cases where their lawyers have solved disputes including ones where the blame is being passed between parties and disputes over cars. They are after all a team of professional lawyers. 9 out of 10 cases they win don't even get to court before the consumer is reinbursed simply by following their 'free advice'. And the ones that do go to court are done so with the advice and guidence of their lawyers.

Off the top of my head one case I remember reading of a guy who had a loan secured on his home and it gathered interest of over 100 thousand pounds. After contacting which they investigated and they found something illegal had been done(cant remember the exact details)on the loan suppliers part and in the end the debt was wiped clean. It was all over their front page.

If you have read which or experienced their legal team then I can respect your opinions. But in the end its easy to shoot people down who are only trying to help.

To the original poster I would try (for starters) a quick look at these

http://www.which.co.uk/advice/how-to...ters/index.jsp

http://www.which.co.uk/advice/your-r...cars/index.jsp

sledge · 04-10-2008

Which mag` are helpful but they cherry pick the cases they take on and the ones they do take on are open and shut sure fire winners. They do it to increase their reputation and the sales of the magazine. Do you ever read about cases they have taken on and lost? A lot of their succeses are down to their reputation and the threat of bad publicity. If you are not paying someone to do the work for how can they have your vested interest at heart and more importantly what recompense have you got if they get it wrong.

You have to remember that dealers and manufactures are facing legal issues constantly, they know exactly where they stand and what they can/cant get away with. A few angry phone calls or letters from a disgruntled punter with doesnt scare them nor will it make them drop everything in an attempt to resolve your personal issues.

When an issue breaks down, grinds to a halt or becomes "Legal" a one-to-one with a Solicitor experienced in consumer law is by far the best way to get things moving in your favour. I put up with months of excuses and poor service from my dealer when I bought the GP and I gave up trying to resolve the issues myself...........but after the Dealer Principle received a couple of letters from my solicitor reminding him of his obligations everything, and I mean everything was sorted within a week.

**T14086** · 04-10-2008

Originally Posted by sledge

You have to remember that dealers and manufactures are facing legal issues constantly, they know exactly where they stand and what they can/cant get away with. A few angry phone calls or letters from a disgruntled punter with doesnt scare them nor will it make them drop everything in an attempt to resolve your personal issues.

When an issue breaks down, grinds to a halt or becomes "Legal" a one-to-one with a Solicitor experienced in consumer law is by far the best way to get things moving in your favour. I put up with months of excuses and poor service from my dealer when I bought the GP and I gave up trying to resolve the issues myself...........but after the Dealer Principle received a couple of letters from my solicitor reminding him of his obligations everything, and I mean everything was sorted within a week.

Excellent post Mr Sledge.........no sarcasm in it like were used to

but excellent nonetheless

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