Technical 2022 Fiat 500 Servicing

[Rabiddog]

Hi

My daughter has a 2022 1.0 hybrid Fiat 500, can anyone clarify if this has to be serviced at a main dealer, Id prefer to use a specialists which seem to be in short supply in North Kent.

I ask this for two reasons;

1, Local Fiat dealer has told me that it needs to be serviced by them for first 3 years or warranty is void. I understood due to block exemption cars can be service by any trained professional providing OEM parts are used? I am sure they are trying to pull a fast one here? however;

2, I have also heard that due to the newer models having the Security gateway module/firewall fitted only dealers can access the ECU to reset any service lights. Apparently a bypass lead can't be used either.

The car is a September 2022 and has covered 2800 miles.


Any advice or help would be appreciated.

Regards

RL

 

[Johnbee]

Afternoon.

With regards to point 1 your assumptions are correct. It doesn’t have to be serviced at a Fiat Main dealer, provided the garage you use uses genuine Fiat parts and oils. It would seem they’ve told you this to scare you in to paying a lot more for the privilege of a Fiat stamp in the service book. My 2018 500S has only been serviced once by Fiat. Luckily I have a great independent garage at the top of my road who looks after my Fiats.

My service light came on when it was due its second service in 2020 and my garage couldn’t clear it. However, after 300 miles it disappeared and hasn‘t come back on since. I have it serviced annually, which is roughly every 7,000 miles.

Hope the above helps

 

[Rabiddog]

Thanks for your reply,

I did think about leaving the reset it but as it is in its warranty period (or maybe not as it is a CAT N car) I wanted to make sure Fiat have little reason to void it.

Does anyone know if this would be the same for the 2022 onwards Fiat 500's?


Regards

Ricky

Afternoon.

With regards to point assumptions are correct. It doesn’t have to be serviced at a Fiat Main dealer, provided the garage you use uses genuine Fiat parts and oils. It would seem they’ve told you this to scare you in to paying a lot more for the privilege of a Fiat stamp in the service book. My 2018 500S has only been serviced once by Fiat. Luckily I have a great independent garage at the top of my road who looks after my Fiats.

My service light came on when it was due its second service in 2020 and my garage couldn’t clear it. However, after 300 miles it disappeared and hasn‘t come back on since. I have it serviced annually, which is roughly every 7,000 miles.

Hope the above helps

 

[jrkitching]

but as it is in its warranty period (or maybe not as it is a CAT N car)

Some manufacturers explicitly invalidate the warranty if the car is written off and subsequently put back on the road; Volvo being one such.

I don't recall ever seeing a specific exclusion in the Fiat warranty, unless the previous accident damage could reasonably have contributed to the failure.

Local Fiat dealer has told me that it needs to be serviced by them for first 3 years or warranty is void.

The original factory warranty is for two years; the third year is an 'additional warranty' with specific terms and conditions regarding its transferability.

Did you buy the car new, and are you the first registered keeper? If not, be aware that a specific procedure needs to be followed (which includes the payment of a fee) to transfer the third year warranty.

 

[Rabiddog]

Some manufacturers explicitly invalidate the warranty if the car is written off and subsequently put back on the road; Volvo being one such.
View attachment 437550
I don't recall ever seeing a specific exclusion in the Fiat warranty, unless the previous accident damage could reasonably have contributed to the failure.

The original factory warranty is for two years; the third year is an 'additional warranty' with specific terms and conditions regarding its transferability.

Did you buy the car new, and are you the first registered keeper? If not, be aware that a specific procedure needs to be followed (which includes the payment of a fee) to transfer the third year warranty.

Hi thanks for your reply.

No did not buy it new, it was 6 months old. I didn't realise the warranty is only 2 years assumed it was 3. I have booked it into a specialist (ex Fiat main dealer) who can reset the service light, at least for this service.

Just out of interest for the future, will not resetting the service light via Fiat's approved diagnostic cause any later issues, I understand some diesel fiat engines (somewhere i have read) an EML code and subsequent limp mode can be activated at a certain mileage (28k i read) if the car thinks it hasn't been serviced because the service indicators have not been 'acknowledged'?

Cheers

Ricky

 

[steveras57]

Similar to when you go to the dentist for a "check up " and a week later a filling falls out! coincidence?!

 

[Johnbee]

Just out of interest for the future, will not resetting the service light via Fiat's approved diagnostic cause any later issues, I understand some diesel fiat engines (somewhere i have read) an EML code and subsequent limp mode can be activated at a certain mileage (28k i read) if the car thinks it hasn't been serviced because the service indicators have not been 'acknowledged‘

My 500, although a Petrol has just ticked over 42k miles with no issue with the service indicator.
It was last serviced by Fiat at 11k miles in 2020.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I dont believe it will have any detrimental affects. Its just a thing to remind you. Worth doing so the cars computer agrees with the service record, I dont know what if any service items apply directly to the electric system. There may be belt adjustments and changes for sure.

 

[puntodeltathema]

One thing on block exemption - a garage has to be VAT registered, as I understand it.