Hi there, I was in the fuel station last night, I tried to open the filler flap, which felt very stiff, I had no choice but attempt to open it as i was out of fuel, I heard a cracking sound, and the back of the mechanism has snapped off.
The car is only 6 weeks old, my dealer (jordans) are saying its not covered on the warranty, how can this be so ?
Has anyone else had the say problem, I'm wondering if its a common fault ?
Does anyone think I will be able to get fiat to stand the cost of a replacement ?
Looking at the spring mechanism, I bet its quite difficult to fit.

Mine's 3 years old in March & had no problems at all. As a manufacturer's warranty is designed to cover faulty manufacturer or installation I can't understand how something that typically lasts the life of the vehicle isn't covered by a 3 year guarantee. I suggest you go back to them and tell them that is not acceptable and if that is the level of reliability you are to expect then you have lost confidence in the product and expect them to take the vehicle back and give you your money back in full. Not only that but you are prepared to take them to court in order to do so. However, look up the Sale of Goods Act on the internet or at your local Citizen's Advice Centre.
This is not really designed to get your money back but to get the dealer to give you a free filler cap.

The Beard said:

expect them to take the vehicle back and give you your money back in full.

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Not wishing to be pedantic but six weeks ownership is to late to return the vehicle - about two is generally the maximum.

However the shister dealership are extracting the urine when they say the filler cap isn't covered. Either try another Fiat dealer or write a short formal letter to the dealership giving them 7 days to replace the said part. In the letter advise them that if they do not replace the part you will purchase the part & expect them to reimburse you when you present them with the receipt.

Letter no2 will have a copy of receipt requesting reimbursement in 7 days & advise them that you will are prepared instigate a small claim in a County Court of your choice to recover the cost of the cap & the court fee.

I'd be surprised if at this point they don't cough-up.

Letter no3 (if necessary) should be titled Letter Before Action asking for the refund with 14 days and you must advise them again that you intend instigating a small claim in a County Court and will seek to recover the cost of the cap & the court fee.

I'd be very surprised if the pillocks haven't refunded you at this point. If not then you can, at this point, contact the court & submit your claim. However whether you want to do this last step for a filler cap (£10??) is a decision for you. Also, you may not win (unlikely) and/or you may not be reimbursed the court fee.

I got a result out of jordans, they fitting a new flap on sat FOC, they were wingeing because it has to be painted in the body shop, they have made out they are doing it as a goodwill gesture and not a warranty claim, cant understand that, they've said they've never seen a fuel flap fail before.

You can refuse a car typically up to 6 months from purchase as new as I had to do so with a Seicento Sporting. You must give the dealer an opportunity to rectify any faults first. Refusing a car as unfit for purpose is not the same as some schemes run by car dealers wherby you can change or return your car after a couple of weeks.

Don't let the dealers get away with poor customer support, they know full well it is covered but Fiat is getting tough with their dealers over warranty claims. With the arrival of the new 500 new franchises are in demand so Fiat are prepared to show poor dealers the boot.

I'm on my 10th Fiat and have had all too much experience of dealers little games but am now aware of my rights and their obligations. There are however some very good Fiat Dealers such as Grays of Leamington, Rockingham Cars, JCS Kegworth, etc. who value customer care.

upnorth said:

Not wishing to be pedantic but six weeks ownership is to late to return the vehicle - about two is generally the maximum.

However the shister dealership are extracting the urine when they say the filler cap isn't covered. Either try another Fiat dealer or write a short formal letter to the dealership giving them 7 days to replace the said part. In the letter advise them that if they do not replace the part you will purchase the part & expect them to reimburse you when you present them with the receipt.

Letter no2 will have a copy of receipt requesting reimbursement in 7 days & advise them that you will are prepared instigate a small claim in a County Court of your choice to recover the cost of the cap & the court fee.

I'd be surprised if at this point they don't cough-up.

Letter no3 (if necessary) should be titled Letter Before Action asking for the refund with 14 days and you must advise them again that you intend instigating a small claim in a County Court and will seek to recover the cost of the cap & the court fee.

I'd be very surprised if the pillocks haven't refunded you at this point. If not then you can, at this point, contact the court & submit your claim. However whether you want to do this last step for a filler cap (£10??) is a decision for you. Also, you may not win (unlikely) and/or you may not be reimbursed the court fee.

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You now have up to six months to reject a car. I had a second hand 2001 Fabia on finance and had loads of problems with it within 5 months so made them fix it free of charge. The law has changed now - you don't have to prove the fault was there when you got the car - the dealer has to prove it WASN'T there when you brought it. Tell them you want a free replacements or you'll be speaking to trading standards regarding rejecting the car.