First year service/warranty

OK David. Mine Is a 2016. There doesn’t seem to be comparable information in my service book and I had to register online to get the service intervals. There is no mention there of minimum mileage so maybe they have changed the recommendation.

Thanks, David. It’s as I suspected.

The annual oil change for low mileage vehicles is because condensation builds up in the oil with short journeys/low mileage. Long distance use will burn it off.

It's better to do the oil change too often rather than not often enough.

The most I have managed to do in any one year is just over 5000 miles and I imagine that in the future I won't exceed that figure. Every year I have had at least an oil change service. OK it costs me a bit more each year than somebody doing more miles.

Going back to the OP post I do wonder what they do in their damp/water ingress test that costs up to £200? I would be interested to know what they do differently to a standard damp test?

David

in respect of the base unit if you have a fiat check out Fiat Professional - should be in your handbook or you can do it online

they give two or three year cover, including breakdown, with the van and have one of the most helpful help teams ( for any problem) 

make sure your mechanical service is going to be done at a Fiat dealers, some motorhome dealers use garages operating to  'the manufacturers standards,'

in respect of Habitation check have it done at a dealer for your make of conversion, not just the cheapest because i can tell you, from experience, that the converter will want proof that it has been done annually to specified standards

hope this helps. 

Ps fiat also operate a free security registration service for their base vehicles

pps my dealer did not tell me any of the above !

should have added in respect of my post that I am talking about new vans

You need a damp check every year. Unless you are competent in motorhome matters, an annual habitation check is a good idea to give you peace of mind. Some of the accessories fitted to your van will have their own service schedules, which I ignore as I have the checks. I'd recommend using a Burstner dealer which is an Approved Workshop. This should give you a list of things checked, any issued found, and the necessary damp check.

If you have an Alko chassis, your axle nipples may require greasing every year. Check you AlKo handbook. My Fiat Professional dealer does mine every 18 months.

You do not need an oil change at 12 months unless you are doing low mileage [say below 6,000 miles a year], running in mainly urban areas or extreme weather conditions [highly unlikely]. An annual oil change is seen by some as good practice whilst others will say it is unnecessary. You won't get a definitive answer.

On the advice of Fiat Professional's Head Office, I have moved to 18 months+ service schedules for peace of mind. I do 6,500 miles pa, mainly on cross country main roads with little urban driving. 

David

I thought the same but if you see my post above a lot of the euro makes include a tin or paint to reseal the holes left by the prongs (or something) so includes cost of paint plus time for man to paint it on.  Apart from that as usual its just the normal caravan/motorhome rip off culture by dealers (IMHO of course)

A couple of thoughts;

Fiat dealers generally do not lub the Alko rear axle as a matter of course unless specifically requested.  This item is not on their service schedule.

The better marque dealers who have knowledge of the mhome they sold generally have an idea where faults might occur, flagged up by the manufacturer. Or knowledge that gas, electrical or damp was at a standard that needs checking over time due to wear and vibration. 

In my book, electric, gas, and damp inspection is sensible, as oil change on low mileage and chassis inspection if you tow.  

Being charged £60 an hour to be told Windows don't open, doors creak and drawers stick is something I can do without.

rgds