Hi all!

I have a Fiat 500 Pop (2008) which has been playing up (rattling under the bonnet and the clutch has felt very loose) I took it into the garage today and the mechanic could only check it over quickly, but has advised me I will most likely need a new engine AND a new gear box ...!! As a student, this is not realistic!

Apart from the occasional time the oil light has appeared on the dashboard, I have always been very careful with oil top ups. Just very confused as to how this has all of a sudden come on :/ I had my MOT in August and there was no mention of anything looking bad.

Has this happened to anybody else's older models? And is there a decent place I'll be able to buy a second hand engine/ gearbox if that is what is needed?

Thanks!

Very presumptuous for a 'quick' check over. Sounds extreme - get a second opinion for sure

That's what I thought! But I have had bad luck with this car, so I wouldn't be surprised.

I don't even think it would be worth repairing? The car is only £2,500.

Hi, sorry to hear about your issues, the clutch maybe low fluid or another minor issue(air in the system) however, my greatest concern is the "oil light came on" normally the only reason the light comes on is a failure of oil pressure, the set point is very low, occasionally it may appear for a fraction of a second if you nearly stall it otherwise it NEVER comes on.
Try taking it to another garage just for a second opinion but rattling and knocking, thumping, noises could spell a big bill, a secondhand unit can always be a gamble but given how many have been sold chances are you could get a perfectly serviceable unit that would most likely come with the gearbox just ensure it comes from the same year of car IE Euro 4/5 or 6 spec?
Too much oil can also do great damage

There's a fella called Steve in Rye, Sussex who sells complete low mileage 1.2 engines for £200.