General Stunned by repair's required !

suzey · Dec 9, 2013

I had my Fiat 500 serviced today ...its a 59 plate and done just under 19,000 miles....it has been serviced regularly.

They have quoted me £1500 ... as it requires New radiator (leak)/oil sump (leak)/ Front brakes and pads/Split handbrake cable/Coroded suspension turrets.

I am totally stunned

I can't believe that a car of this low mileage can need so many repairs.

Has anyone else had experience of such high costs on a low mileage car? ...thanks.

dave · Dec 9, 2013

with a quote like that its worth going some where else for a 2nd opion, even if it did need all that it still seems a high price

panda1408 · Dec 9, 2013

Get a second opinion, with a low mileage car 4 year old car you should not need to be replacing the suspension struts because they are corroded, the other parts maybe but apart from the brakes it seems unlikely to me

frupi · Dec 9, 2013

Agree completely with the other guys here, I'd be getting a second opinion. You haven't indicated, but is this quote from a Fiat dealer and was it Fiat who serviced the car? I take it the vehicle is now out of any Fiat warranty. Also, what model of 500 is it? If it were me, I'd be using a good independent garage now, preferably one signed up to the Good Garage Scheme, there will undoubtedly be one close by to you. Also, some local Councils promote a 'Trusted Trader' scheme and are regularly vetted.

As far as issues go, we had very few issues with the POP we've just PX'd for the new car, just warranty jobs fixed gratis. Hope you resolve things.

http://www.goodgaragescheme.com/

Scd · Dec 9, 2013

Hi , just sounds like another rip off garage too me . Garages do anything to get extra work nowadays !

bgunn · Dec 9, 2013

suzey said:
I had my Fiat 500 serviced today ...its a 59 plate and done just under 19,000 miles....it has been serviced regularly.

They have quoted me £1500 ... as it requires New radiator (leak)/oil sump (leak)/ Front brakes and pads/Split handbrake cable/Coroded suspension turrets.

I am totally stunned I can't believe that a car of this low mileage can need so many repairs.

Has anyone else had experience of such high costs on a low mileage car? ...thanks.

Radiator: http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=3617&sku=48637

Sump: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-500-...s=Car+Make:Fiat|Model:500&hash=item1c34daadea

Brake discs: http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=122&sku=110873
Brake pads: http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=3624&sku=48645

Handbrake cable: http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=9023&sku=183146 or http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=9024&sku=183149

Corroded turrets - Suspect they're talking about the cup washer visible from the engine bay - doesn't need replacing - there's a service notice about fitting a plastic cover, the cover costs pennies, and a new washer is a few quid, the locknut on top of the strut is a couple of quid also.

So £175 for two discs, pads, a radiator and a PAIR of handbrake cables. And £63 for the radiator. And shop4parts aren't necessarily the absolute cheapest..

So £250 for all of your parts, fluids (i.e. some antifreeze etc).

If you're near to London, PM me.

306maxi · Dec 9, 2013

The car isn't the problem, it's the dealer that's faulty.

frupi · Dec 9, 2013

Here's those shock absorber mount covers that bgunn missed

part number 51938656, seemingly now fitted as standard on all new 500's 'cause ours has got 'em.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-500-Abarth-Top-Shock-Absorber-Mount-Nut-Cover-Caps-New-Genuine-51938656-/111213475360?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19e4d6f620

Worth noting too, that the sump (if it really does need replacing!), is apparently the same sump as used on the Panda and is available at a truly price busting £31.91 from shop4parts.

http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=details&ProdId=1238&sku=35619

Oh, and radiator by the way:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-KA-2...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27dac38b21

It wouldn't really take long to get the price of all the parts down to under £200 if you're in the mood for looking. That is exactly what I do every time I need something new for my own cars.

PsFiat · Dec 9, 2013

Definitely get another quote- sounds like they're taking you for a ride- so to speak ...

MN500 · Dec 9, 2013

I would love to see a breakdown of the £1500 - just for the laugh!

As said by others (in the excellent, quick and helpful replies so far), a change of garage required, there is nothing complicated in the work supposedly required so any good independent will be able to easily help you, you just need somewhere you can trust. Maybe if you post your approximate location somebody may be able to recommend somewhere?

306maxi · Dec 9, 2013

I doubt most of the work even needs doing tbh

Andy Monty · Dec 9, 2013

suzey said:
I had my Fiat 500 serviced today ...its a 59 plate and done just under 19,000 miles....it has been serviced regularly.

They have quoted me £1500 ... as it requires New radiator (leak)/oil sump (leak)/ Front brakes and pads/Split handbrake cable/Coroded suspension turrets.

I am totally stunned I can't believe that a car of this low mileage can need so many repairs.

Has anyone else had experience of such high costs on a low mileage car? ...thanks.

Is the Radiator an Air conditioning radiator seem to remember these been very common ...

Oil sump is that a replacement sump? has it hit anything or has some one damaged the sump plug threads? or has it rusted through?

Front brakes and pads are very common as the calipers and pads seize together which results in them wearing out very quickly (think my sisters had similar mileage on them when i changed them)

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/281466-500-disc-brakes-problems-solutions.html

Split handbrake cable not seen before

Corroded turrets is it this bit?

https://www.fiatforum.com/500-guides/314837-sort-your-rusty-top-mounts.html

I'd shop about for prices

suzey · Dec 10, 2013

Wow thanks everyone for your kind advices

I was so upset yesterday about having to try and find £1500 :-( ...you have given me hope that I should be able to reduce this figure.

In answer to your queries, yes it was a main dealer and the previous services have been done there. The costs are as follows

...Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge

Radiator £453.42
Oil sump £483.96
Front brakes, pads and discs £302.39
Handbrake cable £113.45
Suspension turrets £100.99
..plus tyres getting low ! (Mot Oct, no mention of this)

Thank you bgunn

I live in Maidstone , Kent....if anyone can recommend someone who could look at it and give me a second opinion I would be really grateful ...thanks so much, I really appreciate your kind help.

ahmett · Dec 10, 2013

suzey said:
Wow thanks everyone for your kind advices I was so upset yesterday about having to try and find £1500 :-( ...you have given me hope that I should be able to reduce this figure.

In answer to your queries, yes it was a main dealer and the previous services have been done there. The costs are as follows ...Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge

Radiator £453.42
Oil sump £483.96
Front brakes, pads and discs £302.39
Handbrake cable £113.45
Suspension turrets £100.99
..plus tyres getting low ! (Mot Oct, no mention of this)

Thank you bgunn

I live in Maidstone , Kent....if anyone can recommend someone who could look at it and give me a second opinion I would be really grateful ...thanks so much, I really appreciate your kind help.

I think you should head over to London for the day and have bgunn help you out with the car! You will save a good 1000 pounds vs the Fiat dealer's quote!

suzey · Dec 10, 2013

Ahmett have just pm'd him to see whereabouts he is ...thanks ;-)

frupi · Dec 10, 2013

suzey said:
Radiator £453.42
Oil sump £483.96
Front brakes, pads and discs £302.39
Handbrake cable £113.45
Suspension turrets £100.99

Those quoted prices are aah, well you get my drift. You have hopefully seen already how much you can buy brand new parts for by shopping around. I had another look last night and found both hand brake cables can be had for £25, as for brake pads:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eicher-Fr...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45ffba47a5

Oh, and you can buy a brand new pair of discs for as little as 20 quid.

Need we say more?

Super Uwe · Dec 10, 2013

suzey said:
Wow thanks everyone for your kind advices I was so upset yesterday about having to try and find £1500 :-( ...you have given me hope that I should be able to reduce this figure.

In answer to your queries, yes it was a main dealer and the previous services have been done there. The costs are as follows ...Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge

Radiator £453.42
Oil sump £483.96
Front brakes, pads and discs £302.39
Handbrake cable £113.45
Suspension turrets £100.99
..plus tyres getting low ! (Mot Oct, no mention of this)

Thank you bgunn

I live in Maidstone , Kent....if anyone can recommend someone who could look at it and give me a second opinion I would be really grateful ...thanks so much, I really appreciate your kind help.

Wow! Yep, those prices sound absolutely savage.

Anyway, here's hoping that bgunn will be able to help you out. Do keep us posted on how you get on with it all, I'm sure you will be able to get it sorted for a much better price!

And if it does turn out that you manage to save a monumental amount of money, I'd definitely recommend that you speak to Fiat Customer Services once the work is done. Why would I suggest that? Because it's important for them to know when a dealer is not providing a good service to their customers.

I'm not sure if I feel angry or sad reading that you are actually a loyal customer of the dealership in question, but one thing is for certain - they clearly couldn't care less about you.

RobW · Dec 10, 2013

so the car passed the mot, i would suggest nothing needs doing. at all

for peace of mind get an independant to give it the once over

definitley worth a complaint to fiat cs

Super Uwe · Dec 10, 2013

bgunn said:
Radiator: http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=3617&sku=48637

Sump: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-500-...s=Car+Make:Fiat|Model:500&hash=item1c34daadea

Brake discs: http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=122&sku=110873
Brake pads: http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=3624&sku=48645

Handbrake cable: http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=9023&sku=183146 or http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=9024&sku=183149

Corroded turrets - Suspect they're talking about the cup washer visible from the engine bay - doesn't need replacing - there's a service notice about fitting a plastic cover, the cover costs pennies, and a new washer is a few quid, the locknut on top of the strut is a couple of quid also.

So £175 for two discs, pads, a radiator and a PAIR of handbrake cables. And £63 for the radiator. And shop4parts aren't necessarily the absolute cheapest..

So £250 for all of your parts, fluids (i.e. some antifreeze etc).

If you're near to London, PM me.

Great post there by the way!

However - just worth pointing out that the prices don't include VAT or delivery on the S4P site, so that would need to be taken into account. But I know that you were just quoting these for illustrative purposes.

Another online retailer of genuine Fiat parts is SG Petch. I just spotted this one here, this is a genuine sump for a 1.2 500, delivered to your door for £63.53:
http://fiat-500.sgpetch.co.uk/pages/parts/detail/category=engine/engine=41/part=5390

frupi · Dec 10, 2013

Super Uwe said:
Great post there by the way!

However - just worth pointing out that the prices don't include VAT or delivery on the S4P site, so that would need to be taken into account. But I know that you were just quoting these for illustrative purposes.

Another online retailer of genuine Fiat parts is SG Petch. I just spotted this one here, this is a genuine sump for a 1.2 500, delivered to your door for £63.53:
http://fiat-500.sgpetch.co.uk/pages/parts/detail/category=engine/engine=41/part=5390

To be honest though Super Uwe, now the car is out of warranty, if it were me, I wouldn't be bothered about using original Fiat parts. I only put original Fiat spark plugs and brake pads on our old POP because the car was still under warranty and I got genuine parts off ebay super cheap.

General Stunned by repair's required !

Currently reading: General Stunned by repair's required !

******

New member

STOP! Hammer time!

Member

STOP! Hammer time!

Moderator

Prominent member

fast Fiat fan

Similar threads

Currently reading:
General Stunned by repair's required !