Fiat Extended Warranty

[Mike Docker]

Hi, this isn't a question but rather some information for anyone with a brand new Fiat Ducatto-based motorhome on order. Although very rarely mentioned by Motorhome dealers, Fiat offer an extended warranty on brand new vans sold that extends the 2 year warranty to cover years 3 - 5. This is a one-off payment of, currently £866.66 inc VAT, which, for the peace of mind it offers, I believe is good value, especially as it also includes Fiat's Europe-wide Breakdown and Assistance. HOWEVER, Fiat will ONLY allow the warranty to be purchased within 14 DAYS of the van's initial registration - the date on the V5c. 15 days is TOO LATE!
We bought our's through our local Fiat Professional Garage but Any Fiat Professional dealer can process this. From other discussions I've had, I'm aware that so many buyers of new vans just don't know about this and only found out once it was too late.
I hope this is useful to some of our members.

 

[Stealaway]

Its a lump of insurance money that only covers you for Fiat manufacturing faults -- not wear and tear or servicing.
Although it will cover you for breakdown assist.
I wonder if it covers you for punctures?

 

[ontheroadagain]

Don't worry about the date on the V5c.
It is 14 (or 15?) days from the date the dealer registers it with Fiat.
Our van was registered with DVLA early Jan but we didn't collect it until the start of Feb (as we were waiting on the V5C to arrive).
It was registered with Fiat on collection day.
My local Fiat professional dealer knew very little about the extended warranty.
Fiat Italy pointed me in the direction of Adams Morey in Southampton who were excellent.

 

[Mick and Ruth]

I went through Adams Morey in Southampton as well found them very good. My dealer informed me whilst purchasing the van about the warranty but said a lot of dealers don't as they get nothing financially for it so not interested.

 

[Pausim]

Its a lump of insurance money that only covers you for Fiat manufacturing faults -- not wear and tear or servicing.
Although it will cover you for breakdown assist.
I wonder if it covers you for punctures?

Following a discussion on another thread I phoned Fiat Assist 2 days ago and they confirmed it did cover punctures.

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I went through Adams Morey in Southampton as well found them very good. My dealer informed me whilst purchasing the van about the warranty but said a lot of dealers don't as they get nothing financially for it so not interested.

Some dealers are also Fiat Professionals, Chelston Motor Homes were very happy to set up the 5 year warranty when they sold me a Carthago.
I have used Adams Morey twice (Bournemouth and Portsmouth) and they were both very good at sorting out problems.

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[Mike Docker]

I don't know how to reply on here to a specific comment but I will say this. £866 is a small amount to pay on a van costing £60K+ and yes of course it only covers Fiat bits and not consumables like yes or brakes, but should a gearbox or engine fail, or even a wheel bearing, that a whole lot of peace of mind in my book. I'm also pleased to hear that Chelston both mentioned it and offered to set it up

 

[Tighchris]

After 3 years and 1st MOT I found out that it does not cover suspension as springs etc are consumables . Makes sense now I think about it. Bought the warranty really for the cover for the comfortmatic box. So still glad I have it. I suppose the other cost for the warranty is having the four year service with Fiat parts and despite the handbook saying 5 years the Fiat workshop told me that cambelt change etc was 4 years or I would not have the final year of warranty. Others will know if that is really correct. Peace of mind for me.

 

[Stealaway]

Wow
You have to have it serviced buy a Fiat dealership to preserve the warranty?
You have to have the timing belt (fitted early) by the Fiat dealership to to preserve the warranty?
You have to pay for springs replaced within 5 years that are not covered by the warranty ?

All this on top of the £800+up front payment

In three years and 18k miles mine has had an oil and filter service at around £100 in total. European breakdown insurance is £65 a year.
I'm glad I didn't bother, I'm happy to take my chances on a commercial vehicle being reliable for at least the first five years

 

[ontheroadagain]

I was "on the fence" for a few days as I don't usually go for extended warranties.
In the end I had to make a decision as I was getting close to the 14 day cut off point.
Time will tell if it was a wise move or a waste of money.
£65 per year for breakdown cover over 3 years is almost £200 so the cost of the warranty is approx £650 which is £220 per year.

 

[Bolti]

I have had my alternator replaced under the extended warranty after 3 years.
It is 5 years for the cam belt change and no you do not have to use a fiat garage for servicing but a proper garage and fiat parts must be used.
I would have rung Italy about the springs, sounds like your garage might be trying it on.

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[Pausim]

I would have rung Italy about the springs, sounds like your garage might be trying it on.

They probably get a lower hourly rate for warranty work than they charge customers. Our rear suspension is part of the AlKo chassis so I would not expect this to be covered. However something on the front end might be worth challenging, I certainly don’t consider springs to be consumables.

 

[RandallC]

After 3 years and 1st MOT I found out that it does not cover suspension as springs etc are consumables . Makes sense now I think about it. Bought the warranty really for the cover for the comfortmatic box. So still glad I have it. I suppose the other cost for the warranty is having the four year service with Fiat parts and despite the handbook saying 5 years the Fiat workshop told me that cambelt change etc was 4 years or I would not have the final year of warranty. Others will know if that is really correct. Peace of mind for me.

Have had and paid dearly for repairs would never have another comfortmatic box, some claim great service alas in 8 years of ownership, 2 clutches, 2 flywheels, 2 slave cylinders, 1 master cylinder. At OMG fiat rates.

it had to go, couldn’t relie on getting there or back.

hence new 9 speed true auto and extended warranty.

 

[Tighchris]

Yes, was scared by all the comfortmatic stories so the main reason for the warranty really. Fiat dealer checked with HQ re rear springs and whats more wanted £1700 to replace the two single leaf springs. After dreaming of air suspension I took it to an independent spring expert who made up a double spring that would allow the van to be flat enough to open the sliding door but strong enough to last for the rest of its life - I hope. And only £600 including new spring assisters and shocks. Really drives like a dream now. He did agree that Hymer should never have bought a single spring van for the weight they were going to put on the rear and actually agreed with Fiat that springs are consumable items - but then he sells springs! Can’t recommend them highly enough.

Agree you don’t have to use a Fiat garage for the warranty just Fiat parts. I just didn’t know a garage near me that I might trust with the cambelt. They were adamant that it was 4 years for the cambelt Despite my protests. Still I think that the Fiat Water pump must be made of gold at £250 plus VAT!!

 

[royandsharont]

That’s right you don’t need Fiat servicing, just original parts, like any other car warranty these days.

Many of the Fiat garages refuse to do the warranty so it is lucky that there are some around the country that will do it for you. One of the MH dealers who are Fiat professional too, mentioned above, refused to do my friends saying they only do vehicles they supply.

I think my West Yorkshire dealer has arranged with a Fiat garage at Preston to do ours.

 

[dash300]

As a matter of interest is the 5 year warranty transferable with the vehicle to a new owner?

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[royandsharont]

I understand so dash300

 

[Bolti]

As a matter of interest is the 5 year warranty transferable with the vehicle to a new owner?

Yes, it is the vehicle that is registered not the owner.

 

[Sapper520]

The terms and conditions of the Fiat Extended Warranty are far better than the RAC Extended Warranty, thrown in by our Dealer as ‘Part of the Deal’.

It kicks in as soon as the van’s Fiat two year warranty ends……..but the exclusions, need to gain authority for work and the maximum of £48 per hour for labour makes it less than unless.

If I’d have known about the Fiat one, extending it to 5 years, I’d have taken it out…..for my peace of mind.

Well I sort of did know about it, but the Dealer said their extended warranty, given with the van, meant I didn’t need to buy the Fiat one……until I read the terms and conditions, then it was two late to purchase the Fiat one.