Car Fit for Purpose?

sikersh

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum and thought it would be the best place to get some advice on my current situation.

I bought a Brand New car from a Fiat dealership in April 2009. In August 2009 the clutch pedal snapped on the car, which was then fixed/replaced by the dealer. Then in January 2010 it snapped yet again and was replaced by the dealer, even though I would have liked a replacement car as NO car should do this once nevermind twice.

The dealership starting using the legal route and said the only option is to have it fixed again, which it was. A few days ago the pedal snapped AGAIN on my way home from work on the motorway!!! It has now snapped 3 times which is simply not funny.

I've contacted Fiat and insist they do something ASAP as I can't drive my car the way it is, but they don't seem to be taking me seriously, is there anything I can do to make them listen? I personally would like a replacement car as my fiance is expecting in November and I wouldn't want my baby going in a death trap!

Thanks,

Simon

Coveredinbees!!!!

Depending where you live your local bbc radio station might do a consumer show, they tend to get things done fast when the BBC start getting involved.

venus1978

Don't get me started on Fiat. Had a punto (brand new) it went back 18 time in 6 months (and within 7 days of driving out of the dealership as well) for various different problems, Fiat didn't want to know and the dealer lied to Fiat and claimed none of the things happened that did (I had receipts tho for the repairs done everytime, also all the courtsey cars they gave me also broke down !!!!!!! and I'm not even joking about that).

In the end I sold the car simply to get rid as I was getting nowhere and Fiat and the dealership were just running rings round us. Lessons learned and i'll never own another one.

sikersh

Thanks for the replies.

I'm hoping they do something soon as I'm paying £300 a month for a car that I cannot use! They didn't even say sorry for the inconvenience it's causing me!!!

maninthestreet

I'm not sure if 3 faults in 18 months is going to be considered enough to justify a replacement car.

cardinalbiggles

What Fiat is it?

Seems a bit unusual for a clutch pedal to snap they are solid bits of steel!

harveybobbles

Maybe its a driver error...?

sikersh

harveybobbles wrote: »

Maybe its a driver error...?

lol No it's definitely not driver error, pedals should be built to cope with stresses far more than someone changing gear.

Positive news though, Fiat/Abarth have just emailed me saying that the fault is the weld on the pedals. They said they found this out when checking my 2nd broken pedal, which makes me think "why didn't you fix it on the 3rd pedal!!!". They've offered vouchers etc, so I'll see what I can get for all the hassle.

Rolandtheroadie

I would approach it without mentioning the words "death" and "trap". It's broke 3 times now and nobodys dead.
I also wouldnt go in making demands. It'll just get their back up. (as will "insisting").
I dont know your legal rights, so if it was me, thats the first thing I'd find out. Harveybobbles signature seems to suggest if you ask nicely he'd give you some advice. He's also in the trade.
I'd then research on the internet to see if its a common problem, gather evidence if it is and then arrange to speak to someone that can help you within the garage.
Thats about all I can suggest without knowing your legal rights (I dont normally deal with car salesmen or newer cars lol).

Rolandtheroadie

^^^^
Just scrub that then lol

KillerWatt

I'm curious as to how an inability to actuate the clutch makes a vehicle a death trap.