I have had a 500 for the last 15 months and it has had a few niggly electrical problems. The dealer I bought it from have sorted the problems out (but customer service at this particular dealer leaves a lot to be desired!). The hill holder light kept coming on in July and the dealer duly replaced it after finding a fault on the diagnosing computer. About month ago the same problem started to occur again. While the car was having a new dash fitted (yet another issue!) I asked them to look at it. They couldn't find anything wrong so said they couldn't do anything unless I show them the fault! I live 25 miles away from the nearest dealer and the fault only usually last 5 - 10 minutes so I it would be really difficult to actually show them. Not being happy with this I contacted FIAT UK direct who not only confirmed that this is the case but I could be liable for the cost of diagnostic tests as the garage has every right to charge me if they don't find any thing wrong. To say I am gobsmacked is understating it. Anyone else come across this issue?

It's well known for all manufacturers to do that, not just Fiat, unless the Premium marques do it free (not really free you pay for the extra TLC in the purchase price).

Can you imagine the demand for Diagnostic checks if all were done for free? Its a way of regulating demand IMO, the Diagnostic machines are expensive to buy, although it is upsetting it is a reasonable thing to do... although some dealer charges for Diagnostic checks may be OTT.