4 year service fiat or local independent garage

[Charlie9038]

Just realised our fiat ducato 4 year service is overdue ( due 16 May), blame covid on that one!

Only done about 10,000 miles since the 2 year service was done with fiat, would you go with fiat again or choose a more local & cheaper independent garage?

Thanks

 

[MC 55 FUN]

If it's out of warranty I'd be inclined to use your trusted local Indy

 

[Dorset Diver]

I was in a similar position last month. In the end I went to my trusted local. They did an excellent job and for about half the price.

 

[TUCANO]

Independent

 

[Vipar]

Local it will leave you more beer money

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[TheBig1]

independent garage,as it still counts to the service history, but you are not paying for the big flashy showroom and extra staff.

 

[TinaLes]

I haven't had the need to use a "Local Indie" garage for many years, as cars have always been done by dealership under warranty.
Now the van is a different animal, in that its warranty runs out after the next service due in Sept, and its a trek of 128 miles down to the dealership who are Fiat Approved.
From next year I will be looking for a decent indie I guess, but the problem will be finding one that can get the van onto their ramps, and are of-fay with Fiat Commercials.

Might be a silly question but,Where should I do my research, google "Local" Fiat commercial Indies, or ring around?, My last Indie used to come over to the house and do it on the drive, he was great but has disappeared off the face of the planet,since he dumped his misses for a Whoopee Motor Factor Girl
I would always use a trusted indie for an out of warranty vehicle, its just finding one these days.
LES

 

[mikebeaches]

Just realised our fiat ducato 4 year service is overdue ( due 16 May), blame covid on that one!

Only done about 10,000 miles since the 2 year service was done with fiat, would you go with fiat again or choose a more local & cheaper independent garage?

Thanks

You could check out the cost of a low mileage service from your local Fiat dealer.

Our van has also just passed it's 4th birthday and I'll be getting it serviced and MOT'd in a couple of months. Previously always done in June, but since the MOT has gone back 6 months and the van hasn't done many miles, I'll get the mini service done. I had a big one last summer.

It keeps the Fiat stamps going in the warranty book, and perhaps more importantly, keeps the vehicle on the Fiat system - which in my opinion can be helpful for any serious issues that might justify a significant goodwill contribution. It also means Fiat can't say the wrong oil has been used or the wrong parts used etc. Must say, I think I'm lucky because a nearby Fiat agent in Weston-super-Mare seems very reasonably priced. Which can't be said for the one in Bristol.

Earlier in the year, I was pleasantly surprised when my similar age Jag had a problem, which because of the low miles on the clock, I thought should get some financial support from Jaguar to fix. When the garage told me what the problem was and how much it was going to cost, I simply said - not very hopefully - would you ask if the company would make a goodwill contribution towards the charge.

Amazingly, Jaguar coughed up two thirds of the cost without question and the car was more than a year out of warranty! It was just a case of the dealer asking on my behalf. I doubt Jaguar would have helped if an independent garage had contacted them.

 

[TerryL]

I've no gripe with our "local" Fiat Professional garage, solved the problem no-one else could find and wasn't over-expensive. But I've been using the same "indie" for a number of years now, who is very very knowledgeable about motorhomes (it's his business) and, most importantly, someone I trust - unfortunately he's quite a long way away. Sadly of late I cannot say the same for my local garage who do both cars; they try to be helpful but seem reluctant to take on anything out of the ordinary.

So I'm an indie fan although the first question I would ask (if it's a Fiat) do they have the correct tool to change the fuel filter. If they don't, or just stare blankly at you - go somewhere else. Too many vans have come to grief when an ignorant fitter/mechanic tried to do the job without the tool.

 

[Stealaway]

Servicing a Fiat van is no problem for any half decent garage. Take it local.

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[TinaLes]

Dave Newell shows how to do it properly, I somehow doubt many even Fiat,would be this thorough though.
LES


I think this is the Draper Tool needed to do the job.

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[TerryL]

That's my man!

 

[POH]

Just got a price from my local Fiat dealer for 2nd service all filters and brake fluid and oil change for £399 recommended local in Salford £616 inc vat, i know which i will be going to and like mike beaches say's it keeps the stamp up to date.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Just got a price from my local Fiat dealer for 2nd service all filters and brake fluid and oil change for £399 recommended local in Salford £616 inc vat, i know which i will be going to and like mike beaches say's it keeps the stamp up to date.

The Fiat Professional dealer I tried (the one kindly recommended by mikebeaches ) charged £384 for a major service + £50 MOT fee. And they let me have a loan car.

I shall use them again.