Ducato base - first service, near Cardiff.

MarkinWales

MarkinWales

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Hi all
Our 2018 motorhome is due its first service (2 years). I have got it booked into the local Fiat Professional dealer near Caerphilly, who have quoted me a cost of anywhere between £500 ‐ £700! When I asked why so expensive and why such a variance in costs I was told its a 2 hour schedule @£85 per hour. So I queried where the rest of the cost is? The answer was rather confused and sounded like it was down to the 2 year service interval!
So my questions for the forum is:
Has anyone got any experience of other places that can carry this work out (in accordance with Fiat guidelines) in South Wales. I have heard that Stars garage can do this but don't know what they are like?
Also does anyone know what the first service entails?
Many TIA!
 
Sounds about right I get our carthago done at camper uk, service and habitation check at around £700 - £800 you can shop around but I'd go on recommendations, Go Europeon are good otherwise just google search other forums.
Joe
 
I'm in Cardiff and used Stars several times for my work Transit and my older Peugeot camper. I find them very honest and helpful. Not inexpensive by any means but probably a lot less than a main dealer. They are a three generation family firm and almost everyone who works there is a family member.
 
I just paid £480 at salmons in Weeley, North Essex, thought that was bad!

Excellent friendly service though.
 
Why use FIAT professional?

Your warranty will not be affected if you don’t use a FIAT dealership as long as the service is carried out to FIAT’s schedule and OEM parts are used. You should be able to save a fair amount if you can find the right garage.
 
maison said:
Why use FIAT professional?

Your warranty will not be affected if you don’t use a FIAT dealership as long as the service is carried out to FIAT’s schedule and OEM parts are used. You should be able to save a fair amount if you can find the right garage.
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Because its the first (and final) service under warranty, so just want to make sure all recalls etc are done.

Having paid a fortune for a new van is it worth scrimping on a £100 or so?

Wouldn't want to do anything which could impact on resale value on a newish van.

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Wh05apk said:
Because its the first (and final) service under warranty, so just want to make sure all recalls etc are done.

Having paid a fortune for a new van is it worth scrimping on a £100 or so?

Wouldn't want to do anything which could impact on resale value on a newish van.
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Clearly the OP thinks his original quote was higher than he liked. :unsure:
 
So the first 2 year service is chargeable, no free 1st service thrown in ?
 
As its out of warranty at 2 years I use a local independent. £125 for a light service or £240 for a full service.
 
Services - MS Autos Pontypridd LTD

I took my Van here for an MOT in December, the guy that does the MOT's is from RJ Davies, took my personal cars there for years was very happy with the service

you have nothing to loose by speaking to them. I have the van serviced elsewhere but she is not interested in MH as her premises are not designed for it.

Give them a call and have a chat you have nothing to loose, good luck
 
I think the OP is referring to Glenside Commercials in Caerphilly. I took my Autotrail there for a couple of recalls, and wasn't impressed. I would get a competitive quote for your service from Nathaniel Fiat at Bridgend - took my new van there for a recall check, and they did it while I waited. My first service is now due, and I'll be considering Nathaniel or an independent.

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Garratt said:
I think the OP is referring to Glenside Commercials in Caerphilly. I took my Autotrail there for a couple of recalls, and wasn't impressed. I would get a competitive quote for your service from Nathaniel Fiat at Bridgend - took my new van there for a recall check, and they did it while I waited. My first service is now due, and I'll be considering Nathaniel or an independent.
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Many thanks for the suggestion, however I called Nathaniel Fiat first and the girl on the service reception was clueless - she didnt know the service was every 2 years, quoted the wrong first reg date and then quoted £575 for the service! When I queried the cost she said its a major service because the 'first' service is only a minor one - so I told her this is the first service. She went very quiet and said she would get back to me after checking the price, that was over a week ago!
I have to say I have never had much time for main dealers with cars, and it seems Motorhomes are the same!
 
Adams Morey Ltd charged us £475.00 back in July for our first two year service including greasing rear Al-Ko axle. 3.5 hours they quoted.😊
 
We use Days Fiat in Swansea, our last Major Service on 4/6/2019 cost £390.
They have a special service unit for motorhomes, they are very helpful offering transfer to and from the railway station.
Tel: 01792 224700
Cheers
Ed

Edit: Included greasing our tag axle and a new pollen filter.
 
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If you are prepared to use a small, “back street” garage, Griff’s Garage, Barry, services our FIAT Ducato based motorhomes. If you want to preserve the warranty just tell them and they will use all original parts and, obviously, stamp the service book.

They have “real” mechanics, not just part changers and had plenty of room when we had a 7m + motorhome. They are also very helpful with advice etc.
 
If you are prepared to consider Nathaniels Bridgend, I would suggest Owen G Motors in Bridgend have had work done there , timing belt etc and they are fair and have been honest with any dealing i have had with them.

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maison said:
Why use FIAT professional?

Your warranty will not be affected if you don’t use a FIAT dealership as long as the service is carried out to FIAT’s schedule and OEM parts are used. You should be able to save a fair amount if you can find the right garage.
Click to expand...
I can vouch for that, I used my own small local garage who charged me £285.00 for the first service at 13000 at 12 months not the 2 years or 30000 miles which is too long and base£ on the vehicle being used as delivery vehicle that will be sold after the 2nd year.
 
Our first 2-year service was carried out 3-weeks ago by North East Truck and Van (Fiat Professional). The total cost was £331.06
 
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MarkinWales said:
Hi all
Our 2018 motorhome is due its first service (2 years). I have got it booked into the local Fiat Professional dealer near Caerphilly, who have quoted me a cost of anywhere between £500 ‐ £700! When I asked why so expensive and why such a variance in costs I was told its a 2 hour schedule @£85 per hour. So I queried where the rest of the cost is? The answer was rather confused and sounded like it was down to the 2 year service interval!
So my questions for the forum is:
Has anyone got any experience of other places that can carry this work out (in accordance with Fiat guidelines) in South Wales. I have heard that Stars garage can do this but don't know what they are like?
Also does anyone know what the first service entails?
Many TIA!
Click to expand...
Hi All
Many thanks for everyones help and answers. I have decided to go with a local garage located in Cardiff not far from me. Only slight problem is the vehicle registration (imported and re-registered by DVLA) doesnt register on their system so they cant identify the service schedule and service items for this first/2 year service. Can anyone who has had this first service on their new(ish) Ducato 130 (ours is 2018) share with me what the service items are and perhaps a copy of your bill. Many thanks in advance!
 
Many thanks for that. are you able to share with me the details of the items in the service, i.e. the items on the invoice from Fiat or perhaps even a copy of the invoice itself, if you are comfortable with that?). As I have noted above, I have given up with the Fiat dealers local to me as they just dont seem to be able to give me simple answers to the work they are going to carry out! So I have booked it into a local garage that has a very good reputation, but their systems dont recognise my vehicle registration because its an import!
I am not looking to cut corners but want the job done properly and I just didnt get that confidence from Fiat - surprisingly!

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MarkinWales said:
Many thanks for that. are you able to share with me the details of the items in the service, i.e. the items on the invoice from Fiat or perhaps even a copy of the invoice itself, if you are comfortable with that?). As I have noted above, I have given up with the Fiat dealers local to me as they just dont seem to be able to give me simple answers to the work they are going to carry out! So I have booked it into a local garage that has a very good reputation, but their systems dont recognise my vehicle registration because its an import!
I am not looking to cut corners but want the job done properly and I just didnt get that confidence from Fiat - surprisingly!
Click to expand...
This may be of help It was my 2 yr service details
 

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MarkinWales said:
Hi All
Many thanks for everyones help and answers. I have decided to go with a local garage located in Cardiff not far from me. Only slight problem is the vehicle registration (imported and re-registered by DVLA) doesnt register on their system so they cant identify the service schedule and service items for this first/2 year service. Can anyone who has had this first service on their new(ish) Ducato 130 (ours is 2018) share with me what the service items are and perhaps a copy of your bill. Many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Out of curiosity, which garage are you going to use?
 
Hi fom Cardiff.

The Facebook Group for the storage site carries many reccomendations fo Stars.

Personallt I used a small, personal garage close to the storage site;

Cassley Autocare | Mecedes-Benz Repair Specialists/Mercedes Benz Repair Specialists Cardiff/Mercedes-Benz Servicing Cardiff/Mercs Repair Spcialists Cardiff/Mercs Servicing Cardiff

Cassley Auto Care are Cardiff's Top Mercedes-Benz Service & Repair Specialists, Covering the following. Mecedes-Benz Repair Specialists, Mercedes Benz Repair Specialists Cardiff, Mercedes-Benz Servicing Cardiff, Mercs Repair Spcialists Cardiff, Mercs Servicing Cardiff
www.cassleyautocare.co.uk

Although listed as a Mercedes specialist, he services all brands and has different rates for different.

He will also turn his hand to fixing simple faults in the habitation area.

Ross is a mechanic over a technician, her likes to fix things over lifting a box out and plugging a new one in.

Cassley Autocare Ltd
Unit A2 The Laurels Business Park
Heol-y-Rhosog
Wentloog
Cardiff CF3 2EW

Tel: 02920 362070

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