Great news.

Fab news!!!!
Well I wish I had known this before my total nightmare with Vospers Plymouth, who have failed to resolve the brake pedal noise on my lounge after they repaired the clutch, so after my issues and the fact this is my second Panda after the engine failed in the first car... I am sad to say that on Saturday, I will be trading in for a Fiesta :-(

dt71 said:

Good news........clutch has been replaced under warranty today, and it has completely resolved the noise problem - my only gripe is that it has taken the best part of three months to get to this point.

I did end up taking Panda to a different dealership, and to give credit where credit is due, St Austell Vospers are very efficient, professional and were really focused on getting this issue resolved for me. I can thoroughly recommend them if any of you have problems in the future.

Happy motoring.

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That is good news, and certainly something I will bear in mind as well. It's well over an hour to St Austell from where I live, but as long as somewhere isn't more than an hour and a half away, it's not all that far IMO!

Vospers need to get a grip though, it's all very well having this dominant market position, but their dealerships should be more consistent. Disappointed to hear these comments about the Plymouth branch as I have always found them OK...I have used them over Exeter which is much nearer to me...

Super Uwe said:

That is good news, and certainly something I will bear in mind as well. It's well over an hour to St Austell from where I live, but as long as somewhere isn't more than an hour and a half away, it's not all that far IMO!

Vospers need to get a grip though, it's all very well having this dominant market position, but their dealerships should be more consistent. Disappointed to hear these comments about the Plymouth branch as I have always found them OK...I have used them over Exeter which is much nearer to me...

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Good outcome but too much hassle to get there.

I had a problem with the clutch dragging on my 100HP. Didn't even bother going to Vospers in Exeter - I'd had some warranty work done by them a few years before on a Tipo Tds and they'd left the gearbox mounting bolts finger tight - took it to Sanders at Milton Damerel (mentioned in another thread) - they tried it and said there's nothing wrong - we swapped seats and I showed them that there was a problem - it affected the second to third change. I also showed them that it was impossible to engage reverse without a graunch, no matter how long you sat with the clutch disengaged - so they finally agreed that the clutch was dragging and replaced an out-of-true clutch under warranty - so goodish news from them.

When in this sort of dispute I try to be reasonable but firm and let the other party know right from the outset that I will be more persistent than them.

I think having read all of this, my new Panda will be going to my employer, Plymouth Citybus car and commercial but not sure about warranty claims and how they would be dealt with if I ever needed them.

Mine makes a popping noise when changing from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd, not sure if that's how others would describe the noise, or if it's normal? I thought it was the exhaust when I first heard it but it does it from cold too. I've got it booked in at the dealers anyway so I'll report back with their response. It's a twinair trekking.

Bigredbus4468 said:

I think having read all of this, my new Panda will be going to my employer, Plymouth Citybus car and commercial but not sure about warranty claims and how they would be dealt with if I ever needed them.

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If they're VAT registered and using genuine parts there will be no issues

Most Easterly Pandas said:

If they're VAT registered and using genuine parts there will be no issues

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Of course. Our commercial and private vehicle servicing and repairs part of the business is a massive concern. VOSA personnel being their private vehicles to us add they know we do a good job.

Spoke to Fiat technical about Vospers Plymouth telling me that the car should be serviced annually. Fiat said it was unnecessary add the 2 year or 18k schedule should be followed, although an oil and filter change could be done for a low mileage mainly city driven car if you want too. £530 for 3 years fixed priced servicing my backside!

smprout said:

Fab news!!!!
Well I wish I had known this before my total nightmare with Vospers Plymouth, who have failed to resolve the brake pedal noise on my lounge after they repaired the clutch, so after my issues and the fact this is my second Panda after the engine failed in the first car... I am sad to say that on Saturday, I will be trading in for a Fiesta :-(

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Really sorry to hear that, but I completely understand why you are swapping. Sometimes you just have to do what is best for you.

If you have time, I'd definitely recommend letting Fiat CS know. They would definitely want to know why a customer has been lost to Ford, believe me.

But again, I wouldn't blame you if you didn't fancy wasting any more time!

Hi!!

One of the deciding factors is also the way we as customers were treated by FIAT CS.

The case manager was rude, dismissive and agressive, my complaint has gone higher within FIAT, as she said i had to take any greivance up with the dealer and there was nothing FIAT could do!!!!

The dealer informed me i was not the first and FIAT CS are a law onto themselves...

So this is another reason why i am leaving the brand, although i am actually really sad as i have had Punto GP, 500 and Panda over the last 6 years and will miss the brand...

Just a warning if any of you start getting a booming noise at 2500rpm on your Panda dont take its a characteristic of the car from the dealer... It will save you alot of money later on in the vehicles life!!!!

Fiat CS are bloody useless, sent them a requested email last Tuesday, had to call this Monday to check they'd received it as I hadn't even received a holding letter / email.

It seems they are just as bad a people make them out to be