OK I am no expert on paint but looking at the picture the OP posted of that panel, the only way that the problem is caused by stone chips is if someone tried to pebble dash it.

Really crappy behaviour by everyone concerned here:

- Marshalls stating it had not been repaired when the truth is they would not know whether it had or not;
- Stoneacre for giving a cock and bull story about stones chips;
- Fiat CS for not doing more.

Am I surprised? No, it is what I would expect from the motor trade. Frankly if dealers and manufacturers took more care, pride and responsibility rather than trying to cut costs, increase sales at all costs and avoid their obligations whenever possible then we would not have half the threads on this forum.

And to be clear, I am not saying this is a Fiat issue, it is a motor trade issue (with some exceptions).

RobinPJ said:

OK I am no expert on paint but looking at the picture the OP posted of that panel, the only way that the problem is caused by stone chips is if someone tried to pebble dash it.

Really crappy behaviour by everyone concerned here:

- Marshalls stating it had not been repaired when the truth is they would not know whether it had or not;
- Stoneacre for giving a cock and bull story about stones chips;
- Fiat CS for not doing more.

Am I surprised? No, it is what I would expect from the motor trade. Frankly if dealers and manufacturers took more care, pride and responsibility rather than trying to cut costs, increase sales at all costs and avoid their obligations whenever possible then we would not have half the threads on this forum.

And to be clear, I am not saying this is a Fiat issue, it is a motor trade issue (with some exceptions).

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Yeah fair point. As a result, I am planning on getting my mother a car by leasing it. It may come out a bit more expensive but at least you get a brand new car every 3 years and you not for once have to worry about anything except driving it and putting petrol on it other than the fixed monthly cost of leasing it.

I bought my Fiat 500 cash because i plan on keeping it as long as it lasts, but for people like my mother who arent so knowledgable about cars and cant defend themselves against dishonest cheats due to their lack of car knowledge or simply lack of bother / lack of meanness to fight the world, i find this the best, most hassle free option.

With the way things are going in greece, it is basically impossible to sell a car unless you literally give it away for almost free so one should only buy a new car here if they plan on keeping it a good 10 years, otherwise the depreciation simply isnt worth it.

Ahmett - I agree with everything you say (apart from the bit about you knowing more about cars than your mother).