I traded my 2.50yr old Panda MJ in on 20th December for a new one, they had in stock at the docks at Bristol.

I wasnt thinking of changing the car, as I'd taken it in for it's 3rd service and the salesman offered me £2,000 discount on a new MJ. So I agreed after accepting a goodish trade in price on mine.

The new car had to be registered before 31st December 08 to qualify for the 'deal' so arranged to take my MJ down on 29th December and transferred insurance over for 29th onto new car so they could register it in my name.

They've lent me a gutless 1.2 Dynamic petrol Panda 58 reg while I'm waiting, and waiting I am.

The dealer is telling me that is Wallon Logistics that are holding things up and that my car is in deliverable status, but that Wallon is holding up delivery, and they have no idea when it's being brought down to Cornwall.

It's costing me money, I've got insurance on a car I've not got and putting petrol in this 1.2 Dynamic like there's no tomorrow. It's only doing 42mpg.

Anyone know anything about Wallon Logistics? Or is the Fiat dealer telling me porkies?

The dealer reckons that Wallon just turn up during working hours with a load of new cars and that the dealer isnt informed when the delivery is going to take place or what cars are on the transporter.

I find it difficult to comprehend that any company could operate in this way. Surely if a transporter turns up with, say, 8 new cars without the garage knowing, it must put their schedule for servicing and repairing customers existing cars out?

we ordered a new Panda just before Christmas and likewise find it all a bit chaotic. The dealer did tell us the number of cars they were having delivered this week, think it was about 60, but they don't seem to know what cars will arrive on what day. I was told the cars are pulled out of the compound and most of the checks are done there, when they get to the dealers it is just a valet and a levels check, hardly skilled stuff so don't imagine it would disrupt things at the dealers. Seems odd that if you buy a £10 book on line you can track it to your door but a car - no hope. Maybe it all depends on the people at the compound and which car they want to play with first.
The other thing that surprises me is the dealer actually needs a real cover note to register and tax the car, there is a Norwich Union 7 day thing which can be done by email to the dealer but DVLA on renewing know if I'm insured or not as the insurers have told them, why not the same when the dealer sorts out the new car - it all seems dark ages to me.
Oh and I was told the deal had to be done by then end of December too but in the event they didn't register the car so it will go into 2009. I suspect Fiat are still doing the same deal this month (same price still available) and they'd met the numbers for December so wanted mine in January.

I spent a frustrating few weeks waiting for my new MJ to turn up at the dealers, and they kept blaming the delivery people. After a time they eventually came clean and admitted that they didn't have the space and were refusing deliveries.
I even had the V5 in my name but no car !
Your insurance is running, as is your warranty, but at least you are putting mileage on their car and wearing their tyres out.
The small print in the contract will most likely be very much in their favour, just make sure you get some miles on their car, maybe if you tell them youv'e got a few trips to John O'Groats coming up in the future they will hurry up.

Well after ringing them again this afternoon and having another moan and contacting Fiat UK direct afterwards, I got a phone call at 5.30 to tell me my car is arriving at the dealers tomorrow morning, and I can collect it Monday.

They're swopping over my alloys from my previous Panda to the new one and treating the new car inside and out with Diamondbrite. So I guess that will take 24hrs and they don't work Saturdays.

Richard, like you I have my V5 for the vehicle (arrived a week ago).

When I first ordered this car it was standing in the compound at the docks waiting to be purchased.

Let's hope it all comes to pass on Monday and I can collect my new MJ, I miss my previous one sooo much. I hate this petrol Dynamic they've lent me.

I didnt realise the petrol ones were so sluggish and thirsty. The MJ's are well worth the few extra quid.

Will post here Monday to let you know if I've got my car or not

I simply cannot believe how bad the Fiat dealership network in this Country really is!!

I have three new cars, all bought since July. I have a Jeep, a Mustang and my lovely little Panda 100hp. If i said the Fiat dealer was only 10% as good as the others, I'd be lying.

If I were you, I'd ask for some compensation for the extra wait for your new car. Blaming it on the delivery company is no excuse in my book!!

well our Panda has arrived at the dealer, so it did arrive in the time frame the dealer said - should be all set to collect it next weekend.
Gather I'll be paying the balance on my debit card, does this work. If I tried to put so much money on my credit card the alarm bells would be ringing at credit card HQ as it would be way outside my normal spending pattern. Intended to ring the bank and tell them beforehand. Gather it's quite normal nowadays but always used bankers drafts before.

SurreyAlan said:

Gather I'll be paying the balance on my debit card ......

Click to expand...

Works fine if you ring the bank the day before. Otherwise you are in the hands of the bank's computer, which may say no.

Mike O.

I had no problem paying for mine with with a debit card and that was over £6000, and didn't even ring the bank.

thanks for info on the paying by debit card, that so much money can just go from a card makes me slightly nervous about debit cards, I'll be making doubly sure mine never leaves my side.

I have bought two cars with my debit card in the past. Each time the dealer was told to phone a particular number at the bank who then asked me some security questions. Much easier than getting a bank draft and its free.

Ah, the security questions, if they ask you a question like what school did you go to then that's ok but sometimes they say what special word did you give when you set this account up - as you're never supposed to write any of this stuff down how on earth do you remember it. Fingers crossed the call to the bank beforehand will obviate need for any questions.