Hi there,
I've had a problem with my Stilo the same as in this thread: https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo-technical/60256-rearaxle-bushes.html

My problem is that the car is just out of warrenty and it failed it's MOT because of the problem so we had to get it fixed there and then. This cost £950. which when all that needed replaceing was ywo rear axel bushings which cost £20 on the post '03 Stilo's is completely unacceptible IMO.

The manager of the garage also thought this and got in touch with the local fiat rep too see if they would contribute anything to the cost of the repairs. He however has said his hands are tied as the car is 3 years and TWO weeks old! He recommended going through fiat customer services.

My question is this: Can I realistically expect anything from them; and
How will I put the case too them?

Has anybody ever tried a simelar process?

Any help gratefully recieved

Cheers

Tom

ps if this is more suitible for another forum like Stilo tech - let me know.

nah heres perfect.
hmmm well i suppose you may have to go through the chain.
start at the call centre level and work from there.
we did have someone from fiatUK come on the forum for a problem on a fiat panda(new shape)however he seemed to disapear into the ether

couple of members have had dealings with fiat CS so will hopefully have some advice

From my experience it might be difficult as the work has alrready been carried out, I appreciate that the work needed done as no one likes a car off the road but Fiat don't see it that way.

I'd send letters and emails to every port of Fiat HQ to see what they do.

Liam

what is it with fiat and rear bushs!!??!!?

my mk1 punto's rear left has been clonking away for some time (only got replaced last mot 13month ago, now totally wrecked, needs doing again ), and the right hand one that was replaced about 3-4month ago is now starting to clonk!!!

result, my car will turn on a ten pennie at speed (read *rather interesting go kart with wobbly wheels style handling!*)
and I'm now gonna have a shot at it my self, bought two repair kits (£8 each on ebay) and going to get some new rear shocks while I'm at it.

TBH modern cars are only designed to last 3-4years, and just like countless dishwashers we own they usually breakdown (usually terminally) a few days or weeks after the 2-3year warrenty expires.


it sucks, but thats how it is.

ALTHOUGH in your case, your car is one of the ones with the replacable bush parts? if so the axle and sub frame still needs to be unbolted and dropped out (probably need to remove exhaust, a few cables, fuel filler hose, maybe fuel tank, or tank straps) so its still most of a days work @ £55-70 per hour
even then £900 odd is way too much, and fiat are well known to be rip merchants (i.e by all means buy a new fiat car, then run the funk away with it, don't let them touch it!!!!)

if your car is the non repairable type and they've replaced the whole axle then £900 is probably about right.

check under car to see how new it all looks and you'll be able to tell which they've done

It is the non replaceable type - so we have a shiny new rear axle, which is nice apart from the fact that when only 2 sets of bushings which cost £8 from ebay really need replaceing, having to swap a new axle on just seems ridiculous.

Considering the work done the cost is fair, also included all MOT costs (light-bulbs wipers etc), new rear pads and consumables. I think the Axle was £525 +VAT

The Garage (small indi Fiat dealer) said the amount of wear was susprising given the cars age hence why he thought to try the customer services. They even said to hold the payment till we got something sorted...

Cheers

faster4_tec said:

TBH modern cars are only designed to last 3-4years, and just like countless dishwashers we own they usually breakdown (usually terminally) a few days or weeks after the 2-3year warrenty expires.

Click to expand...

Total ********...there is no life expency of any Fiat car,however for your info Fords have a 10year 'shelf life'.

faster4_tec said:

fiat are well known to be rip merchants (i.e by all means buy a new fiat car, then run the funk away with it, don't let them touch it!!!!)

Click to expand...

More ********,Dealers are a 'Franchise' of Fiat & what a dealer charges is nothing to do with Fiat.These franchise dealers are no better/worse than any other franchise make wether its Honda/Ford etc.