Hi.
I have a 2015 Panda Trekking fwd and am coming up to 9000 miles.
I seem to remember reading on here somewhere that a service is required at this mileage to maintain the warranty. Can anyone tell me if this is correct ?
Cheers.

I seem to think that the service schedules were revised sometime in 2014.

Most were lowered from around 15k to 9k, but for both I think they printed it's that OR 1 year, which ever comes first!

The later 9k version I also think they took the "low use/mileage" recommendations out.

Yes, warranty claims can be knocked back if it's issues caused by lack of servicing. This can be directly related or they can imply the issue could have been picked up or averted by routine checks.

The first service is pretty painless, cost wise, just checks and new oil/oil filter.

If you have a Twinair, it might be worth renewing the plugs as well.
One or two of us have suffered a bit of coughing and spluttering around 10-12k, new plugs sorts it out.

Goudrons said:

The first service is pretty painless, cost wise, just checks and new oil/oil filter.

Click to expand...

IIRC the first service does not include an oil/oil filter change (probably the one thing that actually would be worth doing at this point) .

So you're paying about twice the price of an MOT for an inspection that covers about a quarter of what an MOT would check .

sandy57 said:

Hi.
I have a 2015 Panda Trekking fwd and am coming up to 9000 miles.
I seem to remember reading on here somewhere that a service is required at this mileage to maintain the warranty. Can anyone tell me if this is correct ?
Cheers.

Click to expand...

Hi sandy57,

It was probably this thread that you read on here. Post 23 has photos of the service schedule which are helpful:
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/418439-panda-twinair-cross-short-service-intervals.html

As you will see from the pics in that thread, the 9,000 mile service has to be done at 12 months and it will not necessarily involve any replacement of oil, consumables etc whatsoever. You would have to check with your dealer first to see if they will include an oil/filter change as well.

As for keeping the warranty sweet, my understanding is that this first year inspection has to be done as a bare minimum. But I honestly do not know whether this "inspection" at year 1 has to be done by a Fiat dealer, or if it can be done by any VAT registered garage under the EU Block Exemption Regulation.

I'd have thought that the annual inspection would be covered by the same EU-inspired competition rules as other in-warranty work, i.e. it can be done by any VAT-registered garage, provided it's done in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. The catch, of course, is if you need at some later stage to throw yourself on Fiat's mercy for a goodwill contribution, in which case they will expect a full Fiat service history.

It's crazy that the 9k inspection doesn't include oil and filter. And it's obscene how much Fiat charge for the bog-standard 9k inspection (which must take all of 10 minutes), and for an add-on oil & filter change.

An oil and oil filter change is included in the first service on earlier versions schedule. (pre March/April 2014)

As I remember it, it's states 18k for the first (not 15k as I mentioned earlier) and does include oil and filter.

It also states (with a ***) cars with mileages of less than 10k per year, the engine oil and filter should be changed every 12 months.

So a service at 12 months and at 9k should include an oil and filter change pre Mar/Apr 2014 and not after this date?

Goudrons said:

An oil and oil filter change is included in the first service on earlier versions schedule. (pre March/April 2014)

As I remember it, it's states 18k for the first (not 15k as I mentioned earlier) and does include oil and filter.

It also states (with a ***) cars with mileages of less than 10k per year, the engine oil and filter should be changed every 12 months.

So a service at 12 months and at 9k should include an oil and filter change pre Mar/Apr 2014 and not after this date?

Click to expand...

Yes, you are pretty much there .

Basically, there is very little difference between the old 18,000 mile/2yr schedule and this new 9,000 mile/1yr schedule (for petrol engines at least, I don't know what the new schedule is for diesels, quite possibly the same format?).

The relevant consumables will get swapped every 18k/2yrs, and both schedules state you must have an oil/filter change every year too if your mileage is below 6,000. So nothing different there.

All the new schedule does is force you to get the car inspected (not serviced!) at years 1,3,5 etc.

Waste of time? Big time!

Many thanks guys, some useful info in the replies and it's much appreciated.

Despite my TA 4x4 having the 2 year or 18k mile service schedule with the sub 6500 miles advisory oil change note, mine is having oil change tomorrow. 9k miles since middle of August last year. Not as golden anymore and it has finally used some oil. Which proves I've made the right decision. Anyone who believes the book is surely asking for trouble....

I agree that 18k miles is too long to go without an oil change, especially on the TA. It's crazy that Fiat introduced an intermediate 9k service interval which doesn't include an oil change, unless you specify it and pay the extra.

It's a difficult one. Of course you'd want to keep the warranty and having Fiat stamps in the book has to be the way to go.
What bothers me is lack of oil and filter changes. If you are competent I would change the oil and filter at the 9000 inspection yourself. I'm pretty sure that my car was not done correctly before I got it in January, I've since serviced myself and it feels quicker and the fuel consumption has improved, mind you the plugs didn't look new and it was indeed the original air filter.

Car done. He got me 0w30 oil after I nicely said that was what Fiat advised since 2014 and never thought to tell anyone. £89 all in. Bargain. The air filter had to come off so he had proper sight of the oil filter. As mentioned before, Fiat tried to charge me £130 for 3.6 litres of oil and labour for that and pollen filter change (until I pointed out it was free under terms of me buying the car, I'd supplied filters as goodwill). So am happy. As Gareth and Super Uwe know, finding someone you trust, it's one less thing to worry about.

That's a good result! And yes, it's great to find a good independent.