Thanks for that Glenn.

I think we all know that various car makers fall down in one respect or another sometime, prime example is VAG, just look at the mess they are in right now.

I don't think Fiat can be blamed for this as it's clearly the fault of someone at the dealership. The radio is a Visteon which I understand are also fitted in some Ford's albeit they're given a different facia but the same box of tricks behind that.

I had a Grande Punto a few years ago, it was reliable, generally very good and so was the service I had through a Fiat dealer here in Coventry. The car just proved a little small for our needs eventually.

There are no really terrible cars these days, certainly rust has been beaten and cars can be trusted not to break down on long journeys, but I know Fiat still seem to be in the bottom in most motoring surveys. It's a shame as the driving experience is good, they are very cheap to run and they are one of the cheapest cars to buy used.

I think all cars have some flaws. My Ford Fiesta had its lower radiator hose fail at 40,000 miles, which is a common fault, and Rover had HGF failures on its K series engines.

You could always ask the dealer how much a used or reconditioned radio would cost and how much a brand new one would cost, then offer to pay the difference.

But I wouldn't start with this offer, I'd try very hard to get a brand new one out of them, regardless, first.

Edited by Galaxy on 31/01/2016 at 14:31

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Can anyone on the forum tell me where I can leave an honest feedback/review on this dealer, a review site or the like? Or is it possible I can do that here by mentioning this dealership's name in full? Is that allowed here? Here would be best I think as I know HonestJohn is very widely read.

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An update on this for RobJP and Galaxy etc.

I took exactly the stance on the CRA 2015 outlined by RobJP, emailed and sent copies via recorded delivery to both the Sales Manager and the General Manager at the dealers giving them a 14 day deadline.

Within 48 hrs I had the General Manager contact me stating this had gone on for too long and needed sorting. She asked me to contact another Fiat dealer closer to me, near Banbury, who had agreed to do the work for them.

I did as asked, all was fine until they asked why I wasn't going back to the supplying dealer. Told them the saga about the eBay radio, the damage and the fault. Service Manager there immediately declined to get involved!

Back on to the General Manager via email! Proper stroppy reply from her telling me I was to blame for this going wrong as both the other Fiat dealers had been willing to help until I spoke to them! I Pointed out this was totally wrong and untrue, in no uncertain terms.

Was then informed they would need the car back for them to sort it out. Asked to contact their Customer Relations Manager, who would sort it all and arrange a courtessy vehicle. Getting somewhere it seemed now.

As arranged afterwards took my Bravo in on 8th February and was greeted by a pleasant lady Customer Relations Manager who quickly organised the courtessy car while they had our car for a few days. She was going to keep us updated daily as to progress on the radio/vehicle, Totally differnet attitude from her compared with the others there.

Well for four days we had the daily update from the CRM that they couldn't replicate the fault. Had to say to her twice "never mind the fault what about the radio not being secured in the dash" because of the damage and the danger it put us in if we where involved in an accident.

On Thursday afternoon she rang again, same thing and said I would have to have my car back and return it to them if the fault came back! I was starting to dispare yet again and challenged her about the radio being totally unsafe. She stated she wasn't mechanically minded but agreed to go and take a look at it herself and get back to me shortly.

I'd had enough now, so on the phone to Fiat Customer Service, very nice lady with excellent English over in Italy! Took full notes on everything that had happened. Stated they would investigate my complaint about the dealer using used parts contary to Fiats policy and the problems I'd been having getting it sorted since.

The Customer Relations Manager from the dealership called back. She had seen the radio and how badly fitted it was. She stated she had told their staff to replace the radio!! Result! She stated one of the service staff would update me on Friday as she had the day off.

Friday came and no call from the dealer up till 4pm so rung them anyway. Got to speak with the guy I was told would contact me. Seemed very cagey about telling me anything other than "parts had been ordered" and CRM lady would contact me Monday when she was at work next. Not to happy with his response to be honest.

Saturday morning another Italian lady from Fiat rang me saying she was investigating my complaint. She agreed totally with my complaint and had been trying to speak with one of the managers at the dealership but couldn't get hold of one of those concerned, what a surprise on a Saturday, hey!

Monday came and the CRM called me again. Stated they had ordered a BRAND NEW radio! At last! Said they would have the radio fitted Tuesday morning and I could return my hire car midday and pick up my Bravo then. Had to put them off until Wednesday as we had the gas man coming.

Can't wait to here a full update from Fiat about how the dealer had dealt with all of this, the Fiat ladies I spoke to seemed very pro for the situation I'd been left in by the dealer repeatedly.

Does seem though that the dealers final realised how bad this was when the CRM got herself into the workshop and actually looked at the radio for herself and told them "SORT IT PROPERLY" a day before Fiat contacted them.