Am I being overcharged for servicing?

Love our motorhome replied on 17/12/2018 21:49

Love our motorhome

Posted on 17/12/2018 21:49

I have a Autotrail motor home with a Fiat Ducato 2.3 130 multi jet euro 6 engine, first registered in March 2017, and has covered 13000 miles. It will shortly be due for its mandatory 2 year service. I have been quoted £600 by my local Fiat Commercial vehicle centre. This seems to be an awful lot to replace the oil and filters. As I am new to motorhomes I would be grateful for members opinions as to whether they think this sum extortionate or par for the course. Many thanks in anticipation. David Brown

38 replies

Randomcamper replied on 19/12/2018 17:29

Member

Randomcamper

Motorhomer

Posted on 19/12/2018 17:20 by EmilysDad

You can usually reset service intervals on any vehicle using a sequence of button presses of various switches without use of the vehicle manufacture's specific kit. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fiat+service+reset

Local garages are unlikely to buy manufacturer specific kit otherwise they'd need one for Fiat, Vauxhall, Ford etc which just isn't economically viable ... Merc's own kit (STAR) costs a fortune to buy and a fortune to maintain the updates from the Fatherland.

Posted on 19/12/2018 17:29

Doesn't work on recent Ducato's, that's why I said you need Multiecuscan or Examiner or something......

You can reset one of the service warnings but apparantly there is another one more deeply ingrained into the ECU, that's the one that needs special software, and bungs it into limp mode eventually....

A nice little earner for Fiat dealers.....

EmilysDad replied on 19/12/2018 17:59

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 19/12/2018 17:29 by Randomcamper

Doesn't work on recent Ducato's, that's why I said you need Multiecuscan or Examiner or something......

You can reset one of the service warnings but apparantly there is another one more deeply ingrained into the ECU, that's the one that needs special software, and bungs it into limp mode eventually....

A nice little earner for Fiat dealers.....

Posted on 19/12/2018 17:59

Obviously Fiat have been taking a page out of Mercedes's book 🤔

MichaelT replied on 19/12/2018 20:20

MichaelT

Motorhomer

Posted on 19/12/2018 17:29 by Randomcamper

Doesn't work on recent Ducato's, that's why I said you need Multiecuscan or Examiner or something......

You can reset one of the service warnings but apparantly there is another one more deeply ingrained into the ECU, that's the one that needs special software, and bungs it into limp mode eventually....

A nice little earner for Fiat dealers.....

Posted on 19/12/2018 20:20

But under EU law you are able to have it serviced anywhere which means an independent garage should be able to reset it too??? So if you need special software to do it then it must be open to all not just FIAT.

EmilysDad replied on 19/12/2018 21:17

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 19/12/2018 20:20 by MichaelT

But under EU law you are able to have it serviced anywhere which means an independent garage should be able to reset it too??? So if you need special software to do it then it must be open to all not just FIAT.

Posted on 19/12/2018 21:17

That's what I thought. Things like Snap-on, though won't always be able to programme, should be able to read & re-sets stuff.

Randomcamper replied on 20/12/2018 09:14

Member

Randomcamper

Motorhomer

Posted on 20/12/2018 09:14

So if you need special software to do it then it must be open to all not just FIAT.

It is - anyone can buy the software.

Thornsett replied on 20/12/2018 09:55

Member

Thornsett

Posted on 20/12/2018 09:55

The second Fiat service is likely to be over £500 at Fiat Professional; it's not just an oil change. Then at 5 years, the cambelt needs changing and that is a pig of a job because of limited access. Expect another bill of £500+ if it's an A-class like mine.

Bear in mind that low mileage motorhomes should have an oil change every year. When I asked Fiat about this, its rep said low mileage is below 6,000 for a motorhome and he would recommend an annual oil change. He added that a Fiat Professional dealer experienced in motorhome servicing is best placed to advise. My Fiat dealer said every two years for an oil change [average mileage 6,500], my local garage said every year - the latter is more expensive as a result.

peedee replied on 21/12/2018 14:07

Member

peedee

Motorhomer

Posted on 21/12/2018 14:07

For a service just envolving change of oil and filters I would expect to pay between £250/£300 for my IVECO at the local commercial dealers. My motorhome is entering its 8 year of use and I have just had my annual service and MOT done, cost £370. I also needed two new front tyres and some minor repairs to roll bar bushes, new wipers, replace a couple of bulbs etc so ended up with a bill of over £1000 and I still have to replace the rear twin wheel tyres before the summer!

peedee

Love our motorhome replied on 25/12/2018 20:05

Member

Love our motorhome

Posted on 17/12/2018 21:49 by Love our motorhome

I have a Autotrail motor home with a Fiat Ducato 2.3 130 multi jet euro 6 engine, first registered in March 2017, and has covered 13000 miles. It will shortly be due for its mandatory 2 year service. I have been quoted £600 by my local Fiat Commercial vehicle centre. This seems to be an awful lot to replace the oil and filters. As I am new to motorhomes I would be grateful for members opinions as to whether they think this sum extortionate or par for the course. Many thanks in anticipation. David Brown

Posted on 25/12/2018 20:05

Many thanks for your helpful responses, I'll start shopping around for a more 'reasonable' quote.

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