500 Panoramic roof crack...

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500 Panoramic roof crack...

Standrews3

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Has anyone else had a similar issue?

Our 64 plate fiat 500 with the added extra of the panoramic roof had cracked!!!! Fiat claim it is not under warranty and claim it's an owners issue as a windscreen as they believe a chip has caused the crack.

We are looking for solutions or a way for the replacement be done under warranty... Any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks.
 
We are looking for solutions or a way for the replacement be done under warranty... Any advice will be much appreciated.

Start by checking the small print of your insurance policy. It might be covered under the glass replacement section, in which case you'll only have to pay the excess (£75 or so) and it won't affect your no claims bonus. Do check to see if there's a cost limit; IIRC these screens are in excess of £1000 if done by Fiat. If you can get it done as a glass claim, pragmatically that's probably going to be the cheapest, least hassle option.

Alternatively you could buy a secondhand roof glass and find someone to fit it; whatever it costs from a breakers plus around £100 for installation. If it's from an accident damaged car (likely), you need to consider if it might have been stressed in the accident; if it fails again, you'll likely not have any comeback against either the seller or the installer.

Assuming you've got comprehensive insurance, you can always claim against the accidental damage part of your policy, but it'll count as an 'at fault' claim, so you need to do the sums to find out if this is cost effective.

I very much doubt you'll get it done under warranty, any more than you'd get a windscreen replaced under warranty. To go this route, you'll likely need to find an independent expert willing to give evidence in Court that, on the balance of probability, the roof glass failed as a result of a defect that was present at the time you bought the car.
 
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I very much doubt you'll get it done under warranty, any more than you'd get a windscreen replaced under warranty. To go this route, you'll likely need to find an independent expert willing to give evidence in Court that, on the balance of probability, the roof glass failed as a result of a defect that was present at the time you bought the car.

If there is no evidence of a chip (and to crack the panoramic roof I would expect it to need quite a large chip) anywhere along the crack I would be strongly pushing for it to be done under warranty. Similarly, if a windscreen cracked without evidence of chipping/impact I would similarly expect a warranty claim to be honoured.

IMHO this has all the makings of a classic FIAT-**** up.
 
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Just checked my Aviva policy, and it says all glass,sunroof and windscreen, are covered for the usual excess, and does not count as a claim,

You need to read your policy, plus a quick google check shows audi and kia, don't cover sunroofs either, suspect no maker does.
 
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You need to read your policy, plus a quick google check shows audi and kia, don't cover sunroofs either, suspect no maker does.

It isn't a sunroof however, its the fixed glass roof.

Your Aviva policy is also a very decent policy, a lot out of there don't include glass as standard, and some only cover windscreens :(

I'm with zanes on pushing for a warranty claim if no evidence of a chip.

OP are you able to post any pics?
 
Didn't type my reply as i meant, of course to should be covered, but is suspect all makes including Fiat will tell the OP it's not covered.

A five minute check of OP'S policy could relieve so much stress and worry,

In my defence i am typing while watching Barnsley, Everton football game, :eek:
No offence intended.
 
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