Hi guys,
My car has just undergone its 3 year service and first MOT.
I got advisory for both front springs corroded and a slight gearbox oil leak.
I was not best pleased with that on a 3 yr old car, and was told that I have to give permission for the gearbox removal as it may not be covered under warranty.

So how common are these faults, and how likely that the gearbox won't be covered ?

I am assuming (hoping) the advisory on the springs was them covering themselves, but it has me concerned as I have never had that advisory on any car in my 27 years of car ownership. The newest car I had before this was 3 years old, most much older !

Vogon said:

Hi guys,
My car has just undergone its 3 year service and first MOT.
I got advisory for both front springs corroded and a slight gearbox oil leak.
I was not best pleased with that on a 3 yr old car, and was told that I have to give permission for the gearbox removal as it may not be covered under warranty.

So how common are these faults, and how likely that the gearbox won't be covered ?

I am assuming (hoping) the advisory on the springs was them covering themselves, but it has me concerned as I have never had that advisory on any car in my 27 years of car ownership. The newest car I had before this was 3 years old, most much older !

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which particular gp do you have? how many miles have you covered?whos the warranty with seeing as your out of the standard 3 year warranty

Hi, I have covered nearly 18k miles.
S2 GP 1.3 multijet (75ps).
I am not quite out of the 3 year period (9 days left), but the 5 year warranty was offered by fiat at the time.

Advisory on front springs tells me they arnt fit for purpouse.

Suspension springs wearing out/snapping are common enough on Fiats (and other makes) for them to change them under warranty without quibble.

Not heard about gearbox problems on the 1.3 Multijet (though they may happen, the list of suspect areas on the Grande seems endless). However, given the very low mileage i'd imagine Fiat UK will at least contribute to the cost of repair, providing it's done through the main dealer network. They ought to really pay for the full amount providing the car is in good general condition.

Give Fiat UK a ring (00800 3428 0000) and discuss it with them. If you get through to someone who doesn't sound clued up (it can happen) ask for an email address for UK customer care.

Thanks Liam, I have phoned customer care and they have said they will contact fiat and get them to liase with the dealer and contact me within 48 hours.
I don't know what good it will do !
I agree with Austin Mini, both items can only be described as not fit for purpose, and fiat should replace/fix under warranty with no cost to myself.

From the age & mileage of the car i'd be amazed if they turn down a warranty claim - there's absolutely no point in them offering a 5 year warranty if they won't even cover things like a gearbox in year 3.

If they do refuse i'm sure there's plenty of places that'd like to hear about it, but i'm fairly hopeful it won't come to that.