General 2 year Fiat warranty + 1 year dealer warranty

[YouKnowWho]

My 500 is coming up to 2 years old - and I noticed that the warranty period is split between 2 years standard warranty + 1 year dealer warranty.

I was hoping for some advice as to the differences between the two? I have tried searching Fiat's website (+ the manual) and could not find a list of differences?

Also, which dealer ? is it the dealer where the car was purchased or one closed to me??

 

[RobW]

i believe it is any Franchised Fiat dealer, however it makes sense to develop some customer loyalty with your supplying or local dealer

i.e. get you car serviced there then they are more likely to be helpful if you need to claim ...

 

[YouKnowWho]

i believe it is any Franchised Fiat dealer, however it makes sense to develop some customer loyalty with your supplying or local dealer

i.e. get you car serviced there then they are more likely to be helpful if you need to claim ...

I am still a little confused, how does that differ from the first 2 years of the warranty?

 

[RobW]

I am still a little confused, how does that differ from the first 2 years of the warranty?

first 2 years manufacturer pays the bill
3rd year dealership pays the bill

 

[850kd]

My experience is that there are a few differences , all listed in the warranty book . But make sure that you are registered with the warranty company . (If you are the first owner you probably are already, but worth checking.) I have claimed in the third year with no problems but a few items are excluded.

 

[YouKnowWho]

My experience is that there are a few differences , all listed in the warranty book . But make sure that you are registered with the warranty company . (If you are the first owner you probably are already, but worth checking.) I have claimed in the third year with no problems but a few items are excluded.

I am the second owner - so I think I will need to register with the company. I'll take a look when I get home.

Do you know what the differences are (other than the one thats mentioned above i.e. dealer pays rather than Fiat)

 

[RobW]

I am the second owner - so I think I will need to register with the company. I'll take a look when I get home.

Do you know what the differences are (other than the one thats mentioned above i.e. dealer pays rather than Fiat)

your service book, the answers you seek it will give

 

[306maxi]

Mmmmmm service book, answers you seek it will give

Edited for accuracy.

 

[grimwau]

I don't think that the third year is actually paid for by the dealer because if it was why would they want to even look at your car (especially if you didn't buy it from them or get it serviced by them).

I asked Fiat CS the same question as I wasn't sure if my DPF would be covered if it failed after the two years as I had read in another section about it having cost approx £1200 to replace a DPF when it failed just outside the two years.

I was told that third year claims were submitted to a warranty company by the dealer and they were the ones who make a decision as to whether the repair will be covered under warranty.

I assumed that Fiat purchased the third year warranty but it is only what I assumed CS were inferrring so could be wrong. If so then there are a few Fiat dealership guys on here who will clear this up.

 

[YouKnowWho]

I don't think that the third year is actually paid for by the dealer because if it was why would they want to even look at your car (especially if you didn't buy it from them or get it serviced by them).

I asked Fiat CS the same question as I wasn't sure if my DPF would be covered if it failed after the two years as I had read in another section about it having cost approx £1200 to replace a DPF when it failed just outside the two years.

I was told that third year claims were submitted to a warranty company by the dealer and they were the ones who make a decision as to whether the repair will be covered under warranty.

I assumed that Fiat purchased the third year warranty but it is only what I assumed CS were inferrring so could be wrong. If so then there are a few Fiat dealership guys on here who will clear this up.

I see I am not the only one slightly confused by this - but yes, there is no reason a dealer would want to look at a 500 if they did not sell or service it.

Let's hope some people clarify this up

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

but yes, there is no reason a dealer would want to look at a 500 if they did not sell or service it.

No choice if its part of the franchise T+C's!

Concidering you never even have to service you car with Fiat and the warrentee can still be valid.

 

[Mal126]

My 500 is coming up to 2 years old - and I noticed that the warranty period is split between 2 years standard warranty + 1 year dealer warranty.

I was hoping for some advice as to the differences between the two? I have tried searching Fiat's website (+ the manual) and could not find a list of differences?

Also, which dealer ? is it the dealer where the car was purchased or one closed to me??

First two years warranty is administerd by Fiat, 3rd year dealer warranty is administerd by an insurance based company, CAR CARE PLAN, the 3rd year warranty is uk specific only, i.e. any inported vehicle does not have.
The 3rd year warranty has to be registered in the owners name, if sold by a Fiat Dealer second hand then name automatically transferd, non dealer suspect won't be, need to contact company and transfer, usually at a cost of around £30, there is also a 60k limit and has to be serviced as per manufacturers specifications, there are some items not covered but on the whole is almost as comprehensive as the manufacturers warranty, providing servicing etc as laid down, info to change details normally at the back of the handbook.
Repairs can be carried out at any Fiat delaer !

 

[YouKnowWho]

First two years warranty is administerd by Fiat, 3rd year dealer warranty is administerd by an insurance based company, CAR CARE PLAN, the 3rd year warranty is uk specific only, i.e. any inported vehicle does not have.
The 3rd year warranty has to be registered in the owners name, if sold by a Fiat Dealer second hand then name automatically transferd, non dealer suspect won't be, need to contact company and transfer, usually at a cost of around £30, there is also a 60k limit and has to be serviced as per manufacturers specifications, there are some items not covered but on the whole is almost as comprehensive as the manufacturers warranty, providing servicing etc as laid down, info to change details normally at the back of the handbook.
Repairs can be carried out at any Fiat delaer !

Thanks for that explanation .. this may be a silly question but why is Fiat using a 3rd party to administer the 3rd year - surely it would make more sense for Fiat to just have 3 years warranty like (most) other manufacturers? seems a bizarre set up to me

 

[frupi]

A topic not discussed for a while, but seeing as I made the decision very recently (on my wife's behalf) to pay the 27 pounds for the transfer of the 3rd year warranty into my wife's name, I thought I would share the experience.

As the car was only six months old from first registration (thank goodness they don't start things from build date!) I convinced my wife as a little bit of extra insurance, to pay the 27 quid for the third year warranty. Obviously, the first registered owner had original title to the warranty, but as we bought our little Italian stallion from a non Fiat dealer, I needed to be sure that we were registered for the 3rd year warranty and first year of AA assistance. The dealer who sold us the vehicle kindly told us that we were entitled to any remaining warranty, but did not tell us that we had to register or pay for the additional third year.

The paperwork supplied with the vehicle included the 3rd year warranty letter from FiatCare to the first registered owner. I sent an email to their admin team explaining that I had sent the cheque for 27 quid by Recorded Delivery, which they had cashed, but I had not received any letter from them as proof/confirmation that we were covered in the event of a claim. They have now emailed us back stating they are preparing the necessary documentation and have confirmed we are covered.

My point behind this post is, if you are a subsequent owner on a nearly new car and you intend taking out the 3rd year warranty, make very sure you ask for the letter confirming that you are covered. That way, hopefully, if I (or you) need to make a claim in the future, there wont' be any problems.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Pointlessly paid if not needed. Should have just transfered it should you hbave needed to claim

 

[frupi]

I am sure your comment was well intentioned, but I am ludicrously boring when it comes to reading the small print on anything. So so much time on my hands!

I am afraid I did my research before I paid the 27 quid to transfer the warranty and it was perfectly clear to me that had I not done so, should I have had to make a claim in year 3, there could have been difficulties. Indeed on my own car (the 500 is the wife's), I have first hand knowledge of knowing just how important it is to make sure any paperwork you have is fully in order, especially if you need warranty work doing as I unfortunately have had to have my own vehicle repaired twice. I personally have to deal with a subsidiary in Sweden for that particular warranty work, so I feel I kind of know what I'm talking about.

I am sure everyone is aware these days, if someone can wriggle out of paying out anything, they will try try try. For the sake of 27 quid and let's face it, 27 quid is not a a lot of money - about 2 large rounds in my local pub these days! I'd rather do things properly. It's about personal choice, I chose to do it. If others want to risk not paying a pittance of a fee, even if it is just some sort of admin fee, then that's their choice. Indeed I am sure that some 'subsequent' owners have made a claim without going through the palaver of transferring the warranty and survived it intact, but it isn't a risk I'm prepared to take. I was just relating information that might be useful.

 

[Loujam]

For the sake of 27 quid and let's face it, 27 quid is not a a lot of money - about 2 large rounds in my local pub these days! I'd rather do things properly.

I bought my 500 a few months ago from Wales and drove it straight back to Gloucester where I live and straight to the Fiat dealers. I got the 3rd year warranty changed over in the service department in about 10 minutes and came away with the paperwork at the same time too. It cost £27.50 which for me wasn't too high a price for peace of mind. Any Fiat dealership should be able to do this for you while you wait.

 

[JTD_Liam]

The set-up Fiat uses in the UK is daft, but i quite agree with frupi, for the sake of £27 it ain't worth the hassle. I believe Renault use a 2+1 warranty set-up too, but not sure if any charges are involved - my Parents Laguna that they bought 18 months old didn't need a fee paying for the 3rd year warranty, but it was bought from a Renault dealer so that may be why.

We had a letter at end of year 3 offering us an extended warranty so i can only presume it was covered for year 3.

Can't think of any other car manufacturers that use this set-up though.

 

[Super Uwe]

First two years warranty is administerd by Fiat, 3rd year dealer warranty is administerd by an insurance based company, CAR CARE PLAN, the 3rd year warranty is uk specific only, i.e. any inported vehicle does not have.
The 3rd year warranty has to be registered in the owners name, if sold by a Fiat Dealer second hand then name automatically transferd, non dealer suspect won't be, need to contact company and transfer, usually at a cost of around £30, there is also a 60k limit and has to be serviced as per manufacturers specifications, there are some items not covered but on the whole is almost as comprehensive as the manufacturers warranty, providing servicing etc as laid down, info to change details normally at the back of the handbook.
Repairs can be carried out at any Fiat delaer !

Perfect post, just the info I needed

Got a random invoice through the door yesterday from Car Care Plan for £27. Not actually addressed to me personally, just a rubbish piece of admin in general. Car apparently transferred to my surname but wrong initial too

Anyway, I bought our 62 plate Punto from Motor Services in Chepstow who are a Fiat dealer, and they said exactly the same as you - they sort out the warranty transfer at no charge.

Anyway, at least I have some information to come back with now.

 

[frupi]

......Got a random invoice through the door yesterday from Car Care Plan for £27. Not actually addressed to me personally, just a rubbish piece of admin in general. Car apparently transferred to my surname but wrong initial too

Anyway, I bought our 62 plate Punto from Motor Services in Chepstow who are a Fiat dealer, and they said exactly the same as you - they sort out the warranty transfer at no charge.

This is interesting because I'm looking at our 3rd year warranty paperwork now as I type this and there is no mention anywhere on the Fiat headed paper of Car Care Plan anywhere on it. The paperwork I have was prepared on 3rd December last year and has come direct from Fiat Head Office in Slough. The 60,000 mile aspect mentioned earlier only applies to taxis according to the letter. The expiry mileage in respect of the third year for our own car, is 100,000k from the date the car was registered.

If anyone here has had their 3rd year warranty transferred to them for free, then well done! but I can assure you, the Fiat dealer I bought our car from hid the transfer fee in plain sight on our purchase order (I bought pre-reg).

Super Uwe, I can only suggest if the paperwork that has been sent to you is incorrect, even in name, I'd get it looked at sooner rather than later. Trust me, even with a name spelt wrong, it gives room for wriggle, and not necessarily in your favour!