Hi im new and I'm looking at buying a 100hp 2009, 3995k but the last stamp Is missing from the service history for some unknown reason. Is there anyway of checking how long ago it was changed if at all ?

Thanks

If it is missing a service walk away, I have been there got the stamp and cost me dearly! The car is two new to be considering it with a missing service unless there are documents to back up that it has been serviced.

As for the cam belt there isn't really a reliable way of telling if it has been changed as access to the belt is not that easy. You could try phoning up the dealer that did the last stamped service and find out if they have done it.

The reason a lack of service is such a major problem is it the car might have missed an oil change.

It's at a dealer , it's a fiat promo car then one owner and has all service history up until the last one. The dealer where it is now informed me it's been serviced recently before they got it but not stamped for some reason.

It seems fishy to me but I'm also slightly tempted.

When was it supposed to be last serviced? What does the oil look like? I think at the very least you will need to budget for a new cam belt, maybe try and get some money of for that. I would still want proof about the last service though unless the service was only due very recently.

Ok thanks

Anything else I should check I've tried to read up on stuff but it's my first car I've bought haha

If there is any doubt at all that the cambelt has not been changed then I would budget for it to be done asap, with a new tensioner and water pump, cost about 200 at an independent I think? As for the missing service stamp, when was the last stamped service done? Modern oils will be ok for 10K miles at least so if the car is not doing high miles then an oil service every year is not strictly necessary. It wouldn't bother me with just one stamp missing but I would definately do the belt!

By the way, 3,995,000 miles sounds quite a lot!

duncx said:

If there is any doubt at all that the cambelt has not been changed then I would budget for it to be done asap, with a new tensioner and water pump, cost about 200 at an independent I think? As for the missing service stamp, when was the last stamped service done? Modern oils will be ok for 10K miles at least so if the car is not doing high miles then an oil service every year is not strictly necessary. It wouldn't bother me with just one stamp missing but I would definately do the belt!

By the way, 3,995,000 miles sounds quite a lot!

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It could well be argued that cars doing low mileage benefit from more frequent oil changes - re this one, it sounds too fishy, dodgy dealer time.
Walk away. - IF it had been serviced it would be fully logged on their computer - checking for clean oil only tells you it has clean oil. -
THAT car is due a MAJOR service. at least 5 or 600 quids worth.

Its also a 2008 ....

Number plate YH09EDL
VIN ZFA16900001268466
MODEL N.PANDA 1.4 16V 5P SPORTING

FUEL PETROL
CUBIC CAPACITY 1368 CC
INTERIOR COLOUR BLACK FABRICS
EXTERIOR COLOUR GREY
POWER 74 KW - 100 CV
BODY 2 VOLUMES

Further data -

2Q - NUOVA PANDA (2003-2009) 169.085.0.0 - 1.4 16V E4 95CV 70KW 100HP-5 PORTEEngine: 1330569 Vehicle: 01742271 Manuf. date: 22/9/2008


SPECIAL VERSIONNO SPECIAL VERSION(LV0)


DRIVE RIGHT

They are taking the ****, I would estimate it needs a 500 quid service PLUS a cam-belt kit at least.. taking it to around 750 / 800 squids..

RUN away - it is overpriced to start with..

captainslarty said:

Its also a 2008 ....

Number plate YH09EDL
VIN ZFA16900001268466
MODEL N.PANDA 1.4 16V 5P SPORTING

FUEL PETROL
CUBIC CAPACITY 1368 CC
INTERIOR COLOUR BLACK FABRICS
EXTERIOR COLOUR GREY
POWER 74 KW - 100 CV
BODY 2 VOLUMES

Further data -

2Q - NUOVA PANDA (2003-2009) 169.085.0.0 - 1.4 16V E4 95CV 70KW 100HP-5 PORTEEngine: 1330569 Vehicle: 01742271 Manuf. date: 22/9/2008


SPECIAL VERSIONNO SPECIAL VERSION(LV0)


DRIVE RIGHT

They are taking the ****, I would estimate it needs a 500 quid service PLUS a cam-belt kit at least.. taking it to around 750 / 800 squids..

RUN away - it is overpriced to start with..

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This is a panda we are talking about here....

Stop being so paranoid..get the dealer to service it, stamp it and negotiate on the cambelt change....one late oil change will not kill it...

Gavv8 said:

This is a panda we are talking about here....

Stop being so paranoid..get the dealer to service it, stamp it and negotiate on the cambelt change....one late oil change will not kill it...

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Gav, they are highly unlikely to do the required service AND change the cam belt ./ pump / tensioner etc.
The service itself will be nearly 500 - without the cambelt..
That is why they haven't stamped it..
The fact that they lied about the service is enough reason to walk away - and yes, they lied - if it had been done - properly!! - it would have been a MAJOR selling point.
ps, my car is now as fast and cool as yours since fitting the 100HP lower engine tie rod... way cool, I might paint it red (the tie bar) and park outside the nunnery ..

Gavv8 said:

This is a panda we are talking about here....

Stop being so paranoid..get the dealer to service it, stamp it and negotiate on the cambelt change....one late oil change will not kill it...

Click to expand...

Yep, my thoughts too

I'm tending to side with the negotiate a sizeable discount and get the work done at a specialist camp. If he's in the North West or Midlands I can recommend a good one. I think it's worth remembering that we're not talking about an exotic here. It wasn't built in Modena or Sant' Agata Bolognese. Mechanically it's essentially a Stilo Acitve and there wouldn't be the same fuss if that's what we were talking about.

You don't say what the mileage is, as that could have a bearing on how crucial the cambelt change and service are. If it's only missed the service by a few months, most of which it could have spent in trade then if the work is done promptly it shouldn't be a problem.

The Beard said:

I'm tending to side with the negotiate a sizeable discount and get the work done at a specialist camp. If he's in the North West or Midlands I can recommend a good one. I think it's worth remembering that we're not talking about an exotic here. It wasn't built in Modena or Sant' Agata Bolognese. Mechanically it's essentially a Stilo Acitve and there wouldn't be the same fuss if that's what we were talking about.

You don't say what the mileage is, as that could have a bearing on how crucial the cambelt change and service are. If it's only missed the service by a few months, most of which it could have spent in trade then if the work is done promptly it shouldn't be a problem.

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I would possibly agree with the discount part (a LARGE discount) - , however, the op needs to get a full and accurate quote as to the cost of the service and cambelt replacement. It / they are due on time as well as miles, hence they need doing. The dealer has already lied about a service, if the vehicle HAD been serviced - properly - and to fiats own standards, then it would be in the computer, and in the book.. hence, imho it isnt. So, it has absolutely nothing to do with the type of car, exotic or not,it has to do with the cost that is going to be incurred. !! - and that cost is not inconsiderable. Again, he needs quotes, but that would not be a good idea from the place he is buying it from ..... quotes from a GENUINE FIAT dealer using GENUINE FIAT parts also.
Then, he can try to negotiate , but I feel it would be pointless. But, things sometimes work out, if he gets ALL the work done for a FULL 5 year service inc cambelt!, and a good price, then fairy nuff.

To get a quote, he MUST tell another GENUINE FIAT garage you want a quote for a full five year service on a panda 100 including anything at all that is time factor / mileage related.
Then, take their horrendous quote along to negotiate if you want to.
If Fiat want to argue with Fiat, then fine.

Sorry entered in error = Mods please delete

I would go for independents over main dealer any day, five hundred quid to service a panda is daft and on that basis I asked our local garage for a quote and they would do the cambelt/waterpump...a full service and mot it for five hundred.

BTW I think most people would be surprised how little is changed/replaced on a car even at a major service.

captainslarty said:

Gav, they are highly unlikely to do the required service AND change the cam belt ./ pump / tensioner etc.
The service itself will be nearly 500 - without the cambelt..
That is why they haven't stamped it..
The fact that they lied about the service is enough reason to walk away - and yes, they lied - if it had been done - properly!! - it would have been a MAJOR selling point.
ps, my car is now as fast and cool as yours since fitting the 100HP lower engine tie rod... way cool, I might paint it red (the tie bar) and park outside the nunnery ..

Click to expand...

Your Panda will never be as cool as mine.....fact.....

Gavv8 said:

I would go for independents over main dealer any day, five hundred quid to service a panda is daft and on that basis I asked our local garage for a quote and they would do the cambelt/waterpump...a full service and mot it for five hundred.

BTW I think most people would be surprised how little is changed/replaced on a car even at a major service.

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I agree Gav, (providing I knew the indies VERY, VERY well - and the parts they use !!) - the reason for getting the Fiat quote is to use in negotiation with a Fiat garage / dealer - or any other.
I didn't say definitely get Fiat to DO the work, it is the FULL quote you want to bolster your negotiating position.
(I would definitely use Fiat for ALL work (and do) - but we dont pay your grossly inflated UK prices). A fiat dealer selling a car cannot argue the toss over service prices which are set by their parent company.. win win,,

If you look at the service schedule in a car's service book (not necessarily a Panda 100HP) then replacement parts are pretty much limited to plugs, air and oil filters, oil and, er, that's pretty much it really.

Almost all the other points mentioned in the manual are adjust this and lubricate that. Unless you're prepared to get the thing up on a ramp and check them yourself you're reliant on trust. If you're ready to put your car on a ramp you might as well do the service yourself.

I'd be more tempted to go to a specialist as they don't have the luxury of warranty work and all those services while cars are under guarantee, they have to rely on doing a good job for reasonable money to get any kind of repeat business.

I recently paid £900 for work on my MJ which included:

Camchain,
Service,
New EGR valve,
New sump pan,
"Fan" belt,
Water pump.

If you think of the cost of filters and oil: £15, Camchain £90. Sump Pan £200 (genuine FIAT component as he couldn't get a discounted part in time. EGR valve £100. Water pump £30. That lot alone adds up to £400. Then you can add labour and VAT.

I've never really looked at how much room there is around the 1.4 in the Panda but can't see it as being any more inaccessible than the MJ so can't see, on the face of it, how a service and changing the timing belt can be any more expensive than on a 100HP than on mine. Having watched the mechanic in the small garage over the road from us struggling to change the chain on a Corsa 1.3 CDTI, and that was with the front panel and radiator removed, I would have thought the belt on the HP would be a walk in the park.

personally, I think that is rather expensive considering the sump change is next to no time and access is no issue with the work involved, the 'fan belt' and waterpump' would be occupy the same time timeframe as the chain replacement, the service, you say is nothing apart from a few checks. the oil change again occupies the same time frame.

Did you get a quote, in writing from Fiat first ? it would have listed time allocation per job as well which is useful in comparing prices

Besides that, the point is that if you are negotiating a price with a fiat dealer for a fiat car, you use fiat prices and parts to negotiate a discount.. Preferably, you should use them also for work, but that is up to you and how much you trust the person doing the work. It is all well and good until something goes wrong. - your choice at the end of the day.. your money.

3.9 hours according to Fiat for a timing chain on a diesel... during that time he would have removed / replaced fan belt as you called it, water pump also - so no cost there.
That's a lot of money in my book. but again, your choice.

btw, if anyone needs a fiat / alfa etc flat time quote as per their system, let me know. I have most models listed - the new panda is there.. this is the HOURS / MINUTES that fiat will quote for, it is a good guide when comparing quotes from other 'garages' as they should be cheaper in hourly rate but the time taken the same or more or less

On the 1.2 belt, it is 2.25, for the belt, so I would imagine the 16V to be in between on time. (ah, found it, 2.55) - so, about 1.5 hours difference...
there ya go..

Ok

How much realistically are these big services and what works involved exactly ?