General Have I just been mugged off for servicing?

[306maxi]

Happy days yet again with the wonderful world of Fiat servicing!

Spoke to two dealerships around this way (should actually be three but I refuse to deal with my nearest one as they were wholly incompetent on two separate occasions).

I explained that we had a low mileage service last year @ 8k, and would like the 18k service as per the schedule this year in order to get the plugs and brake fluid changed.

Garage 1 quoted £187.00 all in for an 18k service including a wash and clean, which I thought was very good. The chap on the phone knew everything about the schedule which was good to hear. I forgot to mention that I have my own parts/oil, so will get a revised quote in a bit - presumably the labour will be around £70-80.

Garage 2 quoted £378.00 as they said I could not have an 18k service because the mileage was too high. I tried to explain that we had a low mileage service and that we didn't want the full works yet, but they said unfortunately they couldn't as Fiat might "kick up a fuss" if they did otherwise. Said service is 3 and a half hours labour, which is the same as the other dealer who quoted me £449.49 for the same service (see post 80 on this thread, obviously they wanted an extra 70 quid for their Christmas party!)

How can this be?!!!

What's your mileage? If it's over 18k by more than a thousand miles you might be in a little bit of trouble in terms of warranty because the plugs and air filter need to be done at 18k.

This is why I don't like this whole low mileage service thing because it's confusing and I think you end up paying more or not much less in the long run. If you're doing low mileage, get it serviced once a year and get the full fat service done. If you can't afford that then you need to ask if you can really afford an overpriced newish car like a 500.

What you probably want is a full fat 18k service + brake fluid. I paid £70 labour + parts for my first service. Figure on ~ £100 for labour if you're doing the brake fluid (and you should do the brake fluid!) and whatever price you've paid for parts. A litre of brake fluid should set you back about £10.

I got good pricing on my servicing by calling up local independents and finding out their labour rates, then calling up my dealership and asking them to price match which they did. Whether or not you want a Fiat dealer servicing your car is up to you, mind is really good and the fact that I had it serviced with the dealer was a help when it came to getting the airbox replaced outside of the 2 year warranty...... If I hadn't had my car serviced by the dealership then I might have been in trouble.......

If your dealership is good then I'd stick with them, if they're crap then vote with your feet and visit an independent.

 

[ahmett]

Take it to a local independent garage, Fiat are a joke when it comes to servicing, if they don't even know what service you need what makes you think that the YTS 16 year old boy that will be doing the service will know what he is doing. At a local garage usually the person that owns the business will be the person that does the work.

I made the mistake of taking my car to my fiat garage. Their labor rates are ridiculous (in greece). I will next take it to the independent for full service 2 . The servicing for the Fiat is in reality very simple. The manual explains everything. For your case, I would simply change the oil, filters, plugs, check brake fluid, and well the brakes that depends on the wear rate but a quick look at that will give you the answer.


Filters, brake fluid, spark plugs, oil, this should not cost more than 200 pounds.

 

[306maxi]

I made the mistake of taking my car to my fiat garage. Their labor rates are ridiculous (in greece). I will next take it to the independent for full service 2 . The servicing for the Fiat is in reality very simple. The manual explains everything. For your case, I would simply change the oil, filters, plugs, check brake fluid, and well the brakes that depends on the wear rate but a quick look at that will give you the answer.


Filters, brake fluid, spark plugs, oil, this should not cost more than 200 pounds.

The mistake you made was to not question the price they were going to charge. I called up and they wanted to charge me £200 for a service. No thanks. Got them to price match and it cost me about £130 or so.

 

[ahmett]

The mistake you made was to not question the price they were going to charge. I called up and they wanted to charge me £200 for a service. No thanks. Got them to price match and it cost me about £130 or so.

Well for my dealer quotes i got quoted 320, 280 270 and 250 respectively in 4 different dealers so I went to the 250. They said 250 euros with a 20% discount also! The thing that concerned my most is that they charged me for 4 liters of Agip 5w40 oil while the fiat needs what 2.8 l if i am not mistaken? In addition they charged me 1.8 hours of labor when realistically it took them less than an hour to change the oil, filters and plugs.

I think where they rip you off most on the 2nd full fat service is that they add another hour of labor for no reason for changing the brake fluids and inspecting drive belt accessories, something which doesnt take much time at all!

My poor friend with his fiat 500 got charged 900 euros at 45,000 km! They made him change the drive belt and water pump, all the brakes and the usual service.

I was told to change my brakes so they told me 105 euros for the rear pads but i said no, went to an indie and got it done for 40 euros. After that day i told myself what an idiot i was to go to the dealer in the first place, but now at service 2 at 60,000 km i have no warranty after that anyway so i will go to indie without a 2nd thought.


I could try to do what you did maxi next time and get them to price match, but their attitude to me was very take it or leave it; as if they did not want any customers.

Even indies are a bit exaggerating with service intervals, they told me to come in and change my oil every 10,000 km (6000 miles!!!). I guess it is their job for the car to be maintained as much as possible. When i told them but fiat says every year or 30,000 km (18,000 miles) they told me don't listen to fiat!

P.S. I'll be honest with you, if i was a billionaire i would change oil every 15,000 km (12k miles) because after 15,000 km when looking at the disptick the oil is more black than brown!

 

[306maxi]

No one will lower their prices if you don't say "well garage x is going to do it for this price, what are you going to do?"

 

[Super Uwe]

Knew this thread would get people going!

RobinPJ - our car has 22k on the clock.

Maxi - in effect I have gone for what you suggested, i.e. a full 18k service with a brake fluid change. The dealer I've chosen (who I will quote in the Garages section provided they do a good job!) will be doing the oil, filters, plugs and brake fluid plus the other usual checks.

I have all the parts apart from the brake fluid, and so I will be paying £104 all in to the dealer. By my calculations I have already paid around £75 for my filters, plugs and 3 litres of oil, so in all I've saved, err...8 quid! Oh well, better than a kick in the balls as they say!

To be honest with you, I have dealt with some really good garages since we got our 500, but as a network Fiat dealerships are a shambles. I will be writing to Fiat CS after the service to quote the various experiences I've had so far. They need to get it sorted out as it is farcical how indifferent service levels are between dealers.

 

[ahmett]

Knew this thread would get people going!

RobinPJ - our car has 22k on the clock.

Maxi - in effect I have gone for what you suggested, i.e. a full 18k service with a brake fluid change. The dealer I've chosen (who I will quote in the Garages section provided they do a good job!) will be doing the oil, filters, plugs and brake fluid plus the other usual checks.

I have all the parts apart from the brake fluid, and so I will be paying £104 all in to the dealer. By my calculations I have already paid around £75 for my filters, plugs and 3 litres of oil, so in all I've saved, err...8 quid! Oh well, better than a kick in the balls as they say!

To be honest with you, I have dealt with some really good garages since we got our 500, but as a network Fiat dealerships are a shambles. I will be writing to Fiat CS after the service to quote the various experiences I've had so far. They need to get it sorted out as it is farcical how indifferent service levels are between dealers.

I agree complelely. They should ban rubbish fiat dealers + i feel fiat would make more money if they had more control over their dealer standards.
That would be less of an incentive to go to an indie!

 

[306maxi]

Knew this thread would get people going!

RobinPJ - our car has 22k on the clock.

Maxi - in effect I have gone for what you suggested, i.e. a full 18k service with a brake fluid change. The dealer I've chosen (who I will quote in the Garages section provided they do a good job!) will be doing the oil, filters, plugs and brake fluid plus the other usual checks.

I have all the parts apart from the brake fluid, and so I will be paying £104 all in to the dealer. By my calculations I have already paid around £75 for my filters, plugs and 3 litres of oil, so in all I've saved, err...8 quid! Oh well, better than a kick in the balls as they say!

To be honest with you, I have dealt with some really good garages since we got our 500, but as a network Fiat dealerships are a shambles. I will be writing to Fiat CS after the service to quote the various experiences I've had so far. They need to get it sorted out as it is farcical how indifferent service levels are between dealers.

Where did you buy the oil and filters from? I paid a lot less for mine! The fact that I bought 3 years stuff in one whack meant that I saved on shipping too.

 

[RobinPJ]

Knew this thread would get people going!

RobinPJ - our car has 22k on the clock.

If your last service was at 8,000 miles and you are now at 22,000 are you not 4,000 miles late in having it serviced? Are you not meant to have it done as 18,000 even if you have a low mileage service on the way to 18,000 miles?

Isn't Maxi right that you may have voided your warranty by leaving it this late?

 

[306maxi]

If your last service was at 8,000 miles and you are now at 22,000 are you not 4,000 miles late in having it serviced? Are you not meant to have it done as 18,000 even if you have a low mileage service on the way to 18,000 miles?

Isn't Maxi right that you may have voided your warranty by leaving it this late?

Correct. Though I suppose there will be a little leeway as the main thing you need to bother about is the oil and oil filter and that was done.

 

[Super Uwe]

Where did you buy the oil and filters from? I paid a lot less for mine! The fact that I bought 3 years stuff in one whack meant that I saved on shipping too.

I bought my oil before I got the filters this time around (got them from Chris@Souls), not as well organised as you Maxi!

Anyway, can't complain too much - it's a fair few quid I don't have to worry about paying now. Got the car insurance, tax, service, child and Christmas to look forward to, haha!

 

[Super Uwe]

If your last service was at 8,000 miles and you are now at 22,000 are you not 4,000 miles late in having it serviced? Are you not meant to have it done as 18,000 even if you have a low mileage service on the way to 18,000 miles?

Isn't Maxi right that you may have voided your warranty by leaving it this late?

Appreciate where you are both coming from. I guess I'll just have to cross that bridge when I come to it. Personally I would be seriously peeved if that were to be the case - my filters were all changed last year along with the oil, and both myself and the dealer agreed there was little point changing the plugs with so few miles on the clock.

If I were to have booked in a service before 18k then it would have been back in July; only 7 months after the last one. I can't see how they would be able to force me to book so many services within a calendar year. It was only down to personal circumstances this year that we racked up so many miles early on this year.

Anyway we shall know one way or the other within the next few weeks!

 

[ahmett]

Appreciate where you are both coming from. I guess I'll just have to cross that bridge when I come to it. Personally I would be seriously peeved if that were to be the case - my filters were all changed last year along with the oil, and both myself and the dealer agreed there was little point changing the plugs with so few miles on the clock.

If I were to have booked in a service before 18k then it would have been back in July; only 7 months after the last one. I can't see how they would be able to force me to book so many services within a calendar year. It was only down to personal circumstances this year that we racked up so many miles early on this year.

Anyway we shall know one way or the other within the next few weeks!

I personally wouldnt have any service whatsoever until 18k.


To be honest i dont think warranty will be an issue with you as you have officially serviced the car before.

 

[loveshandbags]

Knew this thread would get people going!

RobinPJ - our car has 22k on the clock.

Maxi - in effect I have gone for what you suggested, i.e. a full 18k service with a brake fluid change. The dealer I've chosen (who I will quote in the Garages section provided they do a good job!) will be doing the oil, filters, plugs and brake fluid plus the other usual checks.

I have all the parts apart from the brake fluid, and so I will be paying £104 all in to the dealer. By my calculations I have already paid around £75 for my filters, plugs and 3 litres of oil, so in all I've saved, err...8 quid! Oh well, better than a kick in the balls as they say!

To be honest with you, I have dealt with some really good garages since we got our 500, but as a network Fiat dealerships are a shambles. I will be writing to Fiat CS after the service to quote the various experiences I've had so far. They need to get it sorted out as it is farcical how indifferent service levels are between dealers.

Well a 'Fiat' garage serviced the OH's car last Monday and the credit card got raped to the tune off €474 for a not so full fat 32K mile service having had 2 services before that. Nothing was discussed beforehand and discounts were given on the parts. Comparing the cost of the parts with shop4parts we weren't happy punnies afterwards particularly on the fuel filter . These costs would be typical of a 500 1.3 MJ.
The only compensation was that the VAT charge was at the lower rate of 13.5% for both the parts & labour so a little 'saving' was made on not having to have paid the full VAT on the parts. My understanding that it's a little different in the UK with a flat 20% vat rate.
I didn't ask if the brake fluid was changed when the pads were done.

 

[RobinPJ]

Well a 'Fiat' garage serviced the OH's car last Monday and the credit card got raped to the tune off €474 for a not so full fat 32K mile service having had 2 services before that. Nothing was discussed beforehand and discounts were given on the parts. Comparing the cost of the parts with shop4parts we weren't happy punnies afterwards particularly on the fuel filter . These costs would be typical of a 500 1.3 MJ.
The only compensation was that the VAT charge was at the lower rate of 13.5% for both the parts & labour so a little 'saving' was made on not having to have paid the full VAT on the parts. My understanding that it's a little different in the UK with a flat 20% vat rate.
I didn't ask if the brake fluid was changed when the pads were done.

I love how they added "cleaned wipers" in the description to help justify the cost. That must have taken all of 20 seconds...

 

[ahmett]

Well a 'Fiat' garage serviced the OH's car last Monday and the credit card got raped to the tune off €474 for a not so full fat 32K mile service having had 2 services before that. Nothing was discussed beforehand and discounts were given on the parts. Comparing the cost of the parts with shop4parts we weren't happy punnies afterwards particularly on the fuel filter . These costs would be typical of a 500 1.3 MJ.
The only compensation was that the VAT charge was at the lower rate of 13.5% for both the parts & labour so a little 'saving' was made on not having to have paid the full VAT on the parts. My understanding that it's a little different in the UK with a flat 20% vat rate.
I didn't ask if the brake fluid was changed when the pads were done.

From what i see its your labor price thats a joke = )

 

[306maxi]

As always, that sort of thing will only happen if you let it happen. once the work is done they have free reign to charge whatever they want and you've got little chance of getting any discount on anything. I ALWAYS try to supply my own parts. So far during the servicing of my 500 the only part my dealerhsip have supplied was the rocker cover gasket which was very reasonably priced.

I'm so tight when it comes to servicing and repairs, that I'm looking on a german website about buying a shedload of parts for my 500.

So far my shopping list is looking like this
2 x front wishbones
2 x droplinks
2 x rack ends
2 x tie rod ends
2 x strut top mounts
1 x timing belt kit
1 x water pump
1 x set of pads
Enough filters for a good 3 years of servicing

If I'm feeling silly I might even get a set of rear brake shoes, a set of drums and a few other things.

So far it's come to £590 including shipping. I know some people will say "You're freaking bonkers!" and I guess it is a little extreme. But a big part of that is for things like filters and a timing belt kit. Things that are just part of regular maintenance. Consider how much Michael paid for the brake pads on his partners MiTo and you can get them for £20-30 elsewhere then you see what the cost of those parts could be to me if I just got them through a dealer on the day. Plus I also know that they're all made by reputable companies and will be as good or better quality than the parts originally fitted so should last longer than some of the original parts which seem a bit shoddy and the parts your independent might supply which could be any brand and could be good, or could be useless.

 

[RobinPJ]

once the work is done they have free reign to charge whatever they want.

Free rein:

Free reign:

 

[306maxi]

Me = Fail

 

[frupi]

As always, that sort of thing will only happen if you let it happen. once the work is done they have free reign to charge whatever they want and you've got little chance of getting any discount on anything. I ALWAYS try to supply my own parts. So far during the servicing of my 500 the only part my dealerhsip have supplied was the rocker cover gasket which was very reasonably priced.

I'm so tight when it comes to servicing and repairs, that I'm looking on a german website about buying a shedload of parts for my 500.

So far my shopping list is looking like this
2 x front wishbones
2 x droplinks
2 x rack ends
2 x tie rod ends
2 x strut top mounts
1 x timing belt kit
1 x water pump
1 x set of pads
Enough filters for a good 3 years of servicing

If I'm feeling silly I might even get a set of rear brake shoes, a set of drums and a few other things.

So far it's come to £590 including shipping. I know some people will say "You're freaking bonkers!" and I guess it is a little extreme. But a big part of that is for things like filters and a timing belt kit. Things that are just part of regular maintenance. Consider how much Michael paid for the brake pads on his partners MiTo and you can get them for £20-30 elsewhere then you see what the cost of those parts could be to me if I just got them through a dealer on the day. Plus I also know that they're all made by reputable companies and will be as good or better quality than the parts originally fitted so should last longer than some of the original parts which seem a bit shoddy and the parts your independent might supply which could be any brand and could be good, or could be useless.

Maxi, I for one, don't think you're freaking bonkers when considering buying spares for your motor. In 2008 when I was visiting the US, I bought new front wishbones, 4 brand new shocks and a whole load of other stuff for my Chrysler Neon. The dollar was at 2 to the pound and I saved myself half the price on the stuff that it would have cost in the UK. I still have the Neon, sat idly in the garage, but it won't be facing any shortage of spare bits for a while! As we intend keeping our 500 for several years, I may well do the same for it. I'm fairly lucky at getting bargains on original parts, so I am always looking.