Making the Purchase


Making the Purchase​

Expect to buy a bargain
Before deciding to buy, check in Parker's for the right prices to pay. Don't be impressed by huge quoted reductions on list price because they're very misleading. And even then, try negotiating the price downwards it's not easy to find a buyer for any car at the moment, let alone a for a Fiat range that looked pretty good when launched but has now been left behind, even after the recent update, and which is due for replacement next year.

Remember also that Fiat have never been able to build a stable network of dealers. So before you do a deal, make sure there's a good Fiat specialist nearby for future servicing and parts, just in case your local dealer decides a franchise on another make would be more profitable.

This is particularly important within the M25, where all Fiat dealerships are owned by the Pendragon Group (although they operate under various different names). This cosy arrangement means you might get a better deal elsewhere in the country. In addition, rumours in the trade suggest that another dealer group is on the verge of stepping in so the dealer network in the London area might be about to experience a big shake-up.

Doing the deal
Before agreeing to purchase, check that the seller has the dark red (burgundy) coloured master key and the blue slave key ready to give you. The keys are interlinked with the car electronically, and it could cost you up to £1,000 for replacements. Don¹t accept delivery without getting BOTH keys in your hand first.

Finally, don¹t be too hung-up on mileage. For a start, the electronic mileage recorder on the Bravo (and any other car) is very easy to alter. So only believe what it tells you in the service book, confirmed by a phone call to the previous owner.

But as long as there's a good service record and the bodywork and interior are fine, it¹s safe to buy a high-mileage car. Fiat engines and gearboxes have always been good for 150,000 miles plus. And if you're comparing a Bravo with a similarly-priced Korean or Malaysian car, go for the Fiat every time. They're better cars, and spares will always be cheaper and easier to get hold of, especially outside the dealer network.

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