Hi, Anyone had issues getting parts from Fiat dealers?
I've been waiting for a 2010 Punto O/S/F brake pipe (55701042) form ABS module to flexi for over 2 months!
Replacing as corroded and do not want to replace it with another one like that from a breakers.
I think car manufacturers have to provide spare parts support for their models for either 7 or 10 years following the end of production, and you're looking for a part for a 12 year old car (albeit it was in production a bit longer after that)... so it's getting tight.
Fiat is also not the most prolific supporter of it's obsolete models... although this is offset by they are quite good at using the same parts on multiple cars, so some parts can linger in production on some other car, even though the model you're after was discontinued earlier.
If it's a brake pipe, I would get a garage to make you one out of kunifer (copper-nickel-steel alloy) pipe. Not only can you have it "tomorrow", it also won't corrode.
Other parts becomes more of a treasure hunt. If you can turn up eBay Italy, Poland, Bulgaria or Greece etc. then you might get some joy abroad. I used to go car parts shopping during my holidays.. managed to pick up an Alfa 155 NOS mirror.. (albeit the glass was wrong for the the driver's side) and various headlamps (although one was a LHD in a RHD box, which spoilt my joy).
Otherwise, your dealer is the best placed to find any languishing UK stock. Bishops in Guildford searched the network to find me variously the last fuel pump for a 155 in captivity.... (it was the same part but boxed for Fiat Tempra) and the unobtainable plastic fuel lines from the tank to the filter. If someone has it on their system, then other dealers should be able to find it.
Having said that, I might have a NOS pipe from a Punto hanging up in my old mum's garage. I have no idea what the part number is but it's from a 1993 Punto (the tubby one) so it could be the same, or not. I think it's offside one too.... I'll see if I can get my old mum to read off the part number.
Ralf S.
