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General Pandas and 500L in UK rental fleets - Southend Airport (Europcar?)

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General Pandas and 500L in UK rental fleets - Southend Airport (Europcar?)

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jamesbrownontheroad

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Morning everyone. Flew into Southend Airport last night, and on the way to pick up our own Panda from the long term car park, I noticed that the rental bays had a number of new Fiats in them, notably several Pandas and 500L.

From that distance I couldn't tell which company they were with, but the September Easyjet inflight magazine featured a road trip around the Italian lakes in a 500L provided by Europcar.

If you see any in airport or local neighbourhood rental companies it would be good to know which fleets are adding them. (y)
 
jamesbrownontheroad said:
Morning everyone. Flew into Southend Airport last night, and on the way to pick up our own Panda from the long term car park, I noticed that the rental bays had a number of new Fiats in them, notably several Pandas and 500L.

From that distance I couldn't tell which company they were with, but the September Easyjet inflight magazine featured a road trip around the Italian lakes in a 500L provided by Europcar.

If you see any in airport or local neighbourhood rental companies it would be good to know which fleets are adding them. (y)
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing that out!

Actually I'd love to hire a 500L for a few days, maybe if we are going on holiday in the UK next time. Would give the Panda a bit of a rest and also allow us to try it out.
 
Europcar in Aberystwyth have several 500s and a couple of 500Ls. Yet to see a Panda on their fleet although Doblos and Bravos occasionally turn up.
 
Ralf S. said:
I'm in a hire Panda... 1.2 Pop? It's with SIXT at Heathrow.. and they also had some 500s though fierce money.
Click to expand...

That's interesting, because Sixt are not represented at Southend where I spotted them. I think it's fair to say that there are now Pandas, 500s and/or 500L in both Europcar and Sixt fleets. I'd expect them to be 1.2L rather than TwinAirs simply because the driving characteristics of the TA may not be immediately comfortable for unfamiliar renters.
 
My beast has a "WM13.... " prefix on the number plate... and it's got "Fiat Auto Fleet".. which is potentially a bit naughty. I've noticed other "W...." plate cars (not just Fiat) that seem to belong to Leasing firms etc.

Could be something to be careful about when buying a second-hand Panda (or any car)... although mine seems to be splendid at the moment.. :)


Ralf S.
 
Ralf S. said:
My beast has a "WM13.... " prefix on the number plate... and it's got "Fiat Auto Fleet".. which is potentially a bit naughty. I've noticed other "W...." plate cars (not just Fiat) that seem to belong to Leasing firms etc.

Could be something to be careful about when buying a second-hand Panda (or any car)... although mine seems to be splendid at the moment.. :)


Ralf S.
Click to expand...
What does 'fiat auto fleet' mean on a number plate? mine has it too and I've just found out the car was written off last year but not recorded on insurance, only through Fiat UK internally...
 
EllieBoxall said:
What does 'fiat auto fleet' mean on a number plate?
Click to expand...

Means it was a Fiat Company car for their Head office. Plates normally start something like WV.

EllieBoxall said:
and I've just found out the car was written off last year but not recorded on insurance, only through Fiat UK internally...
Click to expand...

So it wasn't written off then. If an insurance write off it would have been recorded as a total loss, its just been damaged and repaired (either by an insurer or privately).
 
Most Easterly Pandas said:
Means it was a Fiat Company car for their Head office. Plates normally start something like WV.



So it wasn't written off then. If an insurance write off it would have been recorded as a total loss, its just been damaged and repaired (either by an insurer or privately).
Click to expand...
According to Fiat head office it was deemed a category D write off and sold to salvage, now I'm the owner of it, finding out the service history is forged and its a write off. I was just interested to know about the number plate, thanks for telling me! Has confirmed many other clever forum posters thoughts!
 
EllieBoxall said:
According to Fiat head office it was deemed a category D write off and sold to salvage, now I'm the owner of it, finding out the service history is forged and its a write off. I was just interested to know about the number plate, thanks for telling me! Has confirmed many other clever forum posters thoughts!
Click to expand...

If it was an insurance write off CAT-D then it would be recorded as such and show up on a HPi report. Did you do a HPi check before purchasing it :confused:
 
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