Fiat extended warranty/ Fiat assist

[RGR723]

Hi
About to take out the above on a new A/T and am wondering how efficient the breakdown cover is in France/Spain, how long sat on the side of the road waiting for recovery and then time for repairs to take place etc?
I'm sure there are a few events/stories in this respect to be told (some good some bad) more of the former I hope!
Before, I have been with the CAMC and their Red Penant cover gets lots of plaudits.
Seems senseless to pay for 2 lots of cover, especially if the Fiat one is ok.
Thanks

 

[Sapper520]

Oh dear, I seem to have opened a can of worms with my question.

Right - VW Crafter (a MAN TGE is exactly the same vehicle with different badges) has a three year warranty as standard which can be extended to five years. MAN (as that's who I'm dealing with) offer various service packages, the top one is three main services plus three intermediate services within a seven year period from first registration.
Any warranty on a conversion on the vehicle is dependant on the conversion company.
With MAN the repair and/or roadside assistance is (as I understand it) direct with MAN throughout Europe and being a major HGV and coach supplier has 24/7 coverage although not at all workshops.

Time will tell how good this actually is although hopefully I won't have need of any of the warranty/assistance.

Can I ask how much they want for the extended warranty and service contract?

 

[Sapper520]

You can purchase your extended warranty from your nearest Fiat professional garage. The warranty claims will be dealt with by which ever fiat garage you go to to have the problem sorted.

Only if you do it within 14 days of first registration.

 

[Bolti]

Right I'm confused! I'm getting a new Adria Twin 640 in June/July 2023 on a Fiat Ducato. Ordered it from GMC in Shrewsbury whilst at Birmingham show. We live on south coast but didn't buy from a local dealer for a number of reasons including them having no slots left. If I want an extended warranty would I buy it from the GMC, A local Adria dealer or Fiat Professional which probably be Adams Morey in Portsmouth. I'm thinking I don't want to trek up to Shrewsbury when there are problems. Thanks in advance and sorry for hijacking the thread RGR723

Looking on GMC website I do not think they are a Fiat Professional garage so you will need to source the warranty else where. I would start looking for suppliers about a month before delivery so you are able to act quickly.

 

[Sapper520]

Don’t bother with an extended RAC one like the one our Dealer ‘gave’ us. The terms and conditions are endless, including labour allowance of £45 per hour to a maximum of £500. All works have to be authorised first……helpful when you’re abroad and need to get it fixed immediately.

Vehicle needs to have a full service history in line with the manufacture’s specifications.

The list of exclusions is …….well, more or less everything. Pointless policy really.

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[Pausim]

Right I'm confused! I'm getting a new Adria Twin 640 in June/July 2023 on a Fiat Ducato. Ordered it from GMC in Shrewsbury whilst at Birmingham show. We live on south coast but didn't buy from a local dealer for a number of reasons including them having no slots left. If I want an extended warranty would I buy it from the GMC, A local Adria dealer or Fiat Professional which probably be Adams Morey in Portsmouth. I'm thinking I don't want to trek up to Shrewsbury when there are problems. Thanks in advance and sorry for hijacking the thread RGR723

Buy it from Adams Morey they are very good, probably worth giving them a call in advance to make sure you get all the details you need from GMC. Don’t miss the 14 day window.

 

[RGR723]

I have been on touch with Adams Morey Portsmouth who as previous posts have suggested very helpful.

Following on from my Original Post no real response with regard to how good FCA is when abroad?

 

[Rob Turner]

Only if you do it within 14 days of first registration.

Not quite right.

 

[plug]

Hi
About to take out the above on a new A/T and am wondering how efficient the breakdown cover is in France/Spain, how long sat on the side of the road waiting for recovery and then time for repairs to take place etc?
I'm sure there are a few events/stories in this respect to be told (some good some bad) more of the former I hope!
Before, I have been with the CAMC and their Red Penant cover gets lots of plaudits.
Seems senseless to pay for 2 lots of cover, especially if the Fiat one is ok.
Thanks

Hi we was in France this year and had a clutch go on the motorhome, we sat on the hard shoulder for 4 hours and got towed to a holding pen, we was left there for 5 hrs trying to get in contact with the European breakdown service which was supplied by the RAC on there European cover in England, we managed to get through to someone this was at 9 pm at night eventually a cab arrived at 10 pm to take us to a hotel that was €140 euro taxi trip one way trip they paid , we had been booked into the hotel and was given bed and breakfast for the 10 days we had to stay due to the fact they were struggling to find a place for our motorhome to be fixed, there was a lack of response from European breakdown service with up dates, we even called the RAC back in England and there response was we can’t help you strange seeing we had taken the policy out with them.
That was back in September I have just had a reply from the RAC this morning, today telling me they had lost all the paperwork for my claim on the policy.
To be fair considering how the world has been with lock down it wasn’t to bad experience besides the extra cost for repairs lucky to be retired.
Ps
European breakdown service have English speaking controllers

 

[Sapper520]

Not quite right.

The dealer registered our van with DVLA on 1st September 2020, we arranged to collect on 16th. Fiat clearly stipulate you have 14 days from first registration, and not first day of collection, so we missed out……according to Fiat Italy and my local Fiat Professional Garage.

What’s not quite right? Edit…..15 days, sorry.

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[Sapper520]

Hi we was in France this year and had a clutch go on the motorhome, we sat on the hard shoulder for 4 hours and got towed to a holding pen, we was left there for 5 hrs trying to get in contact with the European breakdown service which was supplied by the RAC on there European cover in England, we managed to get through to someone this was at 9 pm at night eventually a cab arrived at 10 pm to take us to a hotel that was €140 euro taxi trip one way trip they paid , we had been booked into the hotel and was given bed and breakfast for the 10 days we had to stay due to the fact they were struggling to find a place for our motorhome to be fixed, there was a lack of response from European breakdown service with up dates, we even called the RAC back in England and there response was we can’t help you strange seeing we had taken the policy out with them.
That was back in September I have just had a reply from the RAC this morning, today telling me they had lost all the paperwork for my claim on the policy.
To be fair considering how the world has been with lock down it wasn’t to bad experience besides the extra cost for repairs lucky to be retired.
Ps
European breakdown service have English speaking controllers

Was that via the Fiat Camper Assist?

 

[plug]

Was that via the Fiat Camper

 

[plug]

No we went through the European break down service, but I will use the RAC European break cover next year as the service can only get better know the world has reopened after covid..

 

[Rob Turner]

The dealer registered our van with DVLA on 1st September 2020, we arranged to collect on 16th. Fiat clearly stipulate you have 14 days from first registration, and not first day of collection, so we missed out……according to Fiat Italy and my local Fiat Professional Garage.

What’s not quite right? Edit…..15 days, sorry.

View attachment 698248

I’ll refer back to my earlier post.
It is 15 days but you can fight the decision.

 

[Coolcats]

How you feel is understandable. Salespersons need to know their products and take time to explain these things.

At the time of picking my MoHo up I was aware of the time limit and the dealer was as useful as a chocolate tea pot trying to sort out the extended warranty claiming the dvla/Hymer sort it. I pointed out if the vehicle did not have the extended warranty due to the 14 days at any time during the next 5 years I would be asking them to cover any cost covers by the lack of an extended warranty. The dealer thought that was aggressive fortunately Fiat professional Italy and Adams Morey sorted things out for me.

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[Bramidan]

i believe that the dealers sell motorhomes and really don’t have the expertise extending to the actual vehicle on which the motorhome is based. Plus in the current market I don’t think they really need to extend themselve.
I‘ve posted on my experience before, a couple of Fiat Professional garages just said “we don’t do it”
I phoned Fiat Assist, Italy, transferred to Albania!
Ended up with Adams Morey sorting it out for me.
Getting the extended warranty was bad enough, who knows what the service will be like if I ever need it!
It was aggravation which detracted from the joy of getting our first motorhome which should have been an enjoyable experience not making endless telephone calls with the clock running.

 

[ontheroadagain]

Only if you do it within 14 days of first registration.

But the question is, is it 14 days from first registration with the DVLA or with Fiat? In my case it was 14 days from the date registered with Fiat (which was a month after it was registered with DVLA).

 

[Bolti]

I have been on touch with Adams Morey Portsmouth who as previous posts have suggested very helpful.

Following on from my Original Post no real response with regard to how good FCA is when abroad?

Alternator died in France, van just 3 years old with 5 year warranty. Contacted RAC who totally refused to deal with me saying we only cover breakdown for the first 3 years under warranty. Had to phone Italy, fortunately it was during the working week. Took our details then someone in Italy kicked some ar$e at the RAC and after 5 hours we were recovered.
The camper care is excellent it's the RAC which is the problem. Even though we were in France you have to go through your home country for recovery.

 

[Sapper520]

But the question is, is it 14 days from first registration with the DVLA or with Fiat? In my case it was 14 days from the date registered with Fiat (which was a month after it was registered with DVLA).

Fiat in Italy and my local Fiat Professional Garage both said first registration with DVLA. Mine hadn’t even been registered with Fiat, by the supplying Dealer, but had Registered it with DVLA.It wasn’t until I tried to get work done under warranty that I found out our van wasn’t on the Fiat system. I asked the garage if I could take out the extended warranty…..too late.

Rob and others have been lucky in finding someone to fight their corner. However, I can’t see why such a basic part of a purchase has been made so difficult to achieve.

I tried, but failed……are their are others on here that have failed as well?

 

[ontheroadagain]

Fiat in Italy and my local Fiat Professional Garage both said first registration with DVLA.

If that had been the case with me, it would have been impossible to extend the warranty. The dealer posted the first registration documents to the DVLA early Jan, but it was late Jan before I received the V5C in the post. By that stage the 14 days had already passed as the DVLA had dated the V5C 1st Jan. My motorhome was registered with Adria AND Fiat on collection day, which was 4th Feb. I took out the extended warranty mid Feb which was a full 6 weeks after date of registration with the DVLA, but still within the 14 days registered with Adria/Fiat.

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[ghoster]

The extended warranty has to be applied for within 14 days I think. No one told me when we bought ours new in 2019. I tried to arrange it 6 weeks after buying the van but no deal. All /fiat said that if I had the van serviced as stated in the book they would look favourably at any occurring issues. Not that I have had any. Re breakdown when in France lorry came within 1 hour. The only thing to watch is where they want to take you. Insist on a /fiat garage as they get a drink if they take it to one of the recovery’s own.

We did the same. We took the MH for a tour of the uk after picking it up so did not see the extended breakdown offer until after the 14 days and had the same rebuttal. Also had two call-outs in France in the first year and both responses within an hour.

 

[VXman]

Has anyone checked the small print on this 'Fiat Extended warranty'? How does it compare to the normal 2 year warranty? Is it the same cover or more limited?

Most dealer extended warranties aren't worth the paper they are printed in as they have so many exceptions and conditions. I would be interested to know what the Fiat one is like because it's not cheap and add to that I assume you still need to visit genuine Fiat Professional garages for servicing which will also be expensive.

 

[Rob Turner]

Has anyone checked the small print on this 'Fiat Extended warranty'? How does it compare to the normal 2 year warranty? Is it the same cover or more limited?

Most dealer extended warranties aren't worth the paper they are printed in as they have so many exceptions and conditions. I would be interested to know what the Fiat one is like because it's not cheap and add to that I assume you still need to visit genuine Fiat Professional garages for servicing which will also be expensive.

It’s the same cover

 

[Pausim]

i believe that the dealers sell motorhomes and really don’t have the expertise extending to the actual vehicle on which the motorhome is based. Plus in the current market I don’t think they really need to extend themselve.

That is true of many dealers but that is no excuse, They are selling a motor vehicle as well as a habitable area and they need to know all the details of both to guide customers safely through the purchase. These are expensive purchases and as customers we should be getting a top class service not greedy, ill informed, casual indifference.

Having said this some dealers are much better and having purchased from a dealer who is also a Fiat Professional I have no complaints about my own experience with them.

 

[Sapper520]

If that had been the case with me, it would have been impossible to extend the warranty. The dealer posted the first registration documents to the DVLA early Jan, but it was late Jan before I received the V5C in the post. By that stage the 14 days had already passed as the DVLA had dated the V5C 1st Jan. My motorhome was registered with Adria AND Fiat on collection day, which was 4th Feb. I took out the extended warranty mid Feb which was a full 6 weeks after date of registration with the DVLA, but still within the 14 days registered with Adria/Fiat.

I think I’d call the system….’Pot Luck’.

I can only go on what I was told when I tried to sort the extended warranty out myself. Too late for me, but if I can help stop any future owners from having the same problem as I’ve had, then that is my only intention.

I’m not trying to say I’m right and others are wrong, there is obviously inconsistencies within the purchasing process.

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[Bolti]

Has anyone checked the small print on this 'Fiat Extended warranty'? How does it compare to the normal 2 year warranty? Is it the same cover or more limited?

Most dealer extended warranties aren't worth the paper they are printed in as they have so many exceptions and conditions. I would be interested to know what the Fiat one is like because it's not cheap and add to that I assume you still need to visit genuine Fiat Professional garages for servicing which will also be expensive.

As Rob Turner posted it's the same cover. As for servicing as long as genuine parts oil etc used and the garage is vat registered.

 

[Cejay]

Cannot comment on fiat assist abroad. But we broke down in UK and we're left at the side of the road for 11 hours waiting for rac recovery truck.. Luckily they took it to Adams Morey in Portsmouth, who did a great job of solving the problem.
Was never offered the extended warranty, by Marquis, who we bought new fiat from, when we finally found out we were too late to buy it.
One point I have never understood, fiat assist is for two years on motorhome, but three on a fiat Ducati van?
Motorhomes are normally well cared for, due to new cost, and cover limited mileage .
I have bought new vans for my to former business and basically hammer them into the ground ,often covering well over 50,000 miles a year.
I cannot understand why fiat give them a better warranty than motorhomes.

 

[Orion]

Adria Compact handover on 1st December from Chelston Motorhomes, Wellington. The registration number had already been allocated but registered with DVLA online that day. Fiat extended warranty taken out and also registered that day, with confirmation paperwork arriving by post from Fiat a week later. Can’t fault the dealer’s efficiency.

 

[Steve-N]

On our new motorhome - August 2022 - Fiat assist is only 2years. It was 3 years on our 2020 motorhome, so it seems to have change recently.

My PVC Ducato is 05/19 registered and it only had 2 years.
Ironically if it was a "builders van" it would be (and still is) a standard 3 years, but when converted into MoHo's and PVC's Fiat reduce the warranty to 2 years, but only in the UK

 

[Pausim]

My PVC Ducato is 05/19 registered and it only had 2 years.
Ironically if it was a "builders van" it would be (and still is) a standard 3 years, but when converted into MoHo's and PVC's Fiat reduce the warranty to 2 years, but only in the UK

I thought it was only in the UK that the warranty was sometimes extended to 3 years. Lenny HB has purchased from Europe more than once, perhaps he can clarify what warranty is offered to European customers.

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[Lenny HB]

I thought it was only in the UK that the warranty was sometimes extended to 3 years. Lenny HB has purchased from Europe more than once, perhaps he can clarify what warranty is offered to European customers.

Standard European warranty is 2 years.
The 3 years warranty is an insurance & dealer backed warranty and only applies to base vehicles sourced in the UK. So even if you bought a Hymer, Carthago etc., in the UK the warranty will only be 2 years.