m.o.t failed on colour scheme

Fez · Post by **Fez** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:18 pm

over the easter break my car failed its mot due to exhaust emissions that were illegally high, though the mechanic produced the answer after a special engine test that cost £75; the ignition key is the wrong colour! seriously, when i bought the car a little over a year ago now, i was given one red key but apparently being a fiat punto i should have been given two. the missing blue type is for regular use while the one i have is the master which resets the engine to its default settings hence the high emissions, and if i don't find the other the car is destined to fail the mot again in the future. of course, its not as simple as just buying a new key like you would a new tyre; not only does the blue key have to be the right code for the series of engine, it also has to be compatiable with the immobiliser. and do fiat have spares for eight year old puntos? no

Post by **Mike** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:15 am

That sounds like a bit of a gip. . . . Sounds like the bike to work is going to be more used than anticipated.

I had a similar item with the fiesta - the red key could re programme the black key which should be used normally. It sounds like you are going to have to grumble and moan at the car seller. . . . . They are total shysters by the sound of it.

What a JYP!

Post by **Mike** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:23 am

What are you going to do about the problem?

BarcelonAl · Post by **BarcelonAl** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:57 am

I always assumed that if you had the master key, this could be used to create a new general key? I'd be tempted to ring up some automotive lock companies.

This place is local to my work and state they are the best in the country at automotive locks and keys!

TAOWBST · Post by **TAOWBST** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 9:55 pm

eight year old puntos

There are eight year old Puntos? I didn't think they were that old. Aren't Fiat releasing a newer version of the Punto. The Punto Grande or something along those lines I think. Sounds like there not happy with the small car image.

Fez · Post by **Fez** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 3:56 pm

the punto grande is still a small car just a fat one; the wheelbase and overall length is not much bigger than the original model, but fiat have rounded out the body contours making it look like a hamster carrying food in its cheeks. the pinicle of the design came before the grande came out, when the punto was still sharp yet more dynamic looking than my older version 1 model. that said, the first line of cars will now be close to ten years old and you can get classic car insurance for motors of that age!

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 12:27 am

Fiat make godawfull cars and they are notorious for falling apart. Whats more mechanics hate them almost as much as renaults so expect a shit job if you take it to a garage!

Fez · Post by **Fez** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 1:00 pm

i'll have you know apart from the dealer not giving me the right key my car is bullet-proof! no mechanical trouble in the last year and the previous owner's handbook is clean apart from general maintainence records - not bad for an eight year car considering how much trouble mike and lizzie have had with their newer motor over the same time period. on saying that the things you have to do to get at some parts of the engine is ridiculous - i can't change something as simple as the fan belt myself without dismantling half the bloody engine. still that's something for my mechanic to worry about.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:20 am

We have been rather unlucky with Cars, brake failure was the ongoing problem which took them a long time to fix. I am glad that it was eventually dealt with though. I think our problems come from having a small car and doing a lot of business miles. . . .

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:48 am

The pool car at work is a Fiat Panda and its like driving a mercedes van except slower.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:14 pm

Vans are great fun to drive, they seem stupidly powerful but as most of the time I have been driving them they are not loaded up to capacity that probably is the answer. :D

BarcelonAl · Post by **BarcelonAl** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:15 pm

John Knight wrote:Fiat make godawfull cars and they are notorious for falling apart. Whats more mechanics hate them almost as much as renaults so expect a shit job if you take it to a garage!

My first car was a Fiat Uno 1.4. When it was working it was great, so lightweight but with a relatively big engine. The look on BMW owners as I beat them off the line at traffic lights was priceless! :D

Sadly shortly after I had it, the heater stopped working (which was great fun in the winter). Also, the drivers seatbelt had a tendency to get stuck in the locked position when trying to fasten it (to fix, remove plastic panel next to drivers seat and kick the seatbelt mechanism with great force!).

The final straw came when the engine management (hah!) chip kept overheating because the thermostat was knackered. I could literally only remain stationary for about 30 secs or the entire car would conk out and you'd have to wait for the chip to cool down naturally. I couldn't begin to count the amount of times I've had to push the car myself out of queues of traffic and onto the pavement! :(

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:38 pm

I currently have a Citroen Saxo vtr. It's basically a 3 door coke can sized car with a 1.6i engine that may aswell be a solid fuel booster. :D

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:38 pm

Not as fast as my old mini was tho with a MG metro engine in yuned up to the 9's

Post by **Mike** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 5:51 pm

Al's car probably got worn out racing all those BMW drivers! :D