Servicing

[Scott Houston]

Hi,

I've recently bought a 1997P 1.6 SX Bravo. It has done 29,000 miles and is due very soon to have its 48,000 mile (4 year) service. This is a major service and I've been quoted a fixed price just short of £190 for the work at my local Fiat dealer. The car is an ex-company car and as such has always been serviced at a main dealer. The question is, is it necessary to go to a dealer for the servicing (perhaps because they have the computerised diagnostic equipment) or is it OK to go to my local garage which has been servicing my other car (1988 Escort 1.3 Pop) for many years and who have done a great job of it. The local garage would be cheaper and more convenient (my nearest Fiat dealer is 35 miles away).

Obviously, the Escort is much more basic, and does not have the advanced electronics, etc. that the Bravo does. I've spoken to my local garage and they say it should be alright, they obviously don't have the diagnostic equipment, but they say it is not really necessary and some dealers don't have it anyway.

What do you all think I should do?

Many thanks

Scott

 

[Steve D]

With only 30,000 on the clock it might pay off to keep the full fiat service history going, as in the long term it will look better when you come to sell it.

If it had 60,000 on the clock i might have said differently. It also depends on how long your going to keep it. If 3 years then with the state the used car market is in a f.fiat.s.h would be a massive bonus come selling time. On the other hand if your going to keep it for 6+ years then again i would probably stick with the local garage.

It's up to you though but thats fairly low milage for a 97 P. The average used to be 12,000 PA it's more like 15,000PA now, yours has done 10,000PA!!!

 

[Mark]

Diagnostics

I asked the Fiat dealer in Harlow, Essex if they use the diagnostic equipment when servicing my car. They said that the only time they use the diagnostic equipment is when there is a problem!!! This rather begs the question 'what's the point?' How can you know if there's a problem that isn't apparent if you don't do the diagnostics?!!!

Consequently, I take my car to a local garage. The state the used car market is in I don't think a Fiat FSH would make much difference. Fiats tend to be worth jack after a few years anyway!!!

I hope this helps.

Mark.

 

[Martin]

That's mega low for a 'P'

My 'R' (98) has done 67,000.
I had a Full Fiat SH for all bar the cam belt service (72,000) they wanted far too much, so I had it done at a private garage.
I would shop around for servicing if it were me as you aren't really gonna lose that much more on it if you keep the mileage low and not have it serviced at a fiat dealers.

 

[Richard]

If you have a Local Garage that you know well - stick with it.
Cheers,
Richard

 

[Scott]

Thanks all

Thanks all for your advice. I'm now thinking of cancelling my service with the dealer and going for my local garage.

Cheers,

Scott