Just a note to those with Seicentos or Cinquecentos that have a
leaking fuel tank.

A few years ago, I had a Cinquecento that was recalled for this
problem (leak around the seam of the tank) - it hadn't experienced a
problem yet, but the recall was done anyway.

Recently I bought a W-reg Seicento sporting. It stank of fuel a few
days later when I topped the tank up. On examining the underside, I
found the problem noted above.

Rang Fiat, who said that it wasn't under recall so wouldn't do
anything about it, but they'd pass it on to the 'zone manager'. I
didn't get anything more out of them for days.

I went to a local Fiat garage, who said that it was indeed corrosion
of the seam, but that Fiat probably wouldn't pay for it as it was
outside the range of VIN numbers that were recalled - however, I
rang Fiat back and explained the problem.

No word back from them for ages. Then I decided to chase the garage,
who told me that Fiat were expecting me to take it in and get the
tank changed - the garage would then take photos of the old one and
email those to the Fiat head offices, where they'd make a decision
on it.

The work was done, the garage told me not to pay them for it - they
emailed the pictures and Fiat stated that it was indeed the same
fault, that they'd also extend the range of recalled VIN numbers.
All well and good, until a few days ago.

I received a letter stating that they'd not pay for it, or get the
work done (duh, you already did!) as it wasn't covered by warranty
and was outside the range of VIN numbers covered. Now, I think that
one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing and that there
may be quite a few Seicento owners out there paying out for a repair
that isn't anything that they should be taking responsibility for!

I had this done back at the end of July, and have only just got the
letter.

Should I go to watchdog about this, just to get others alerted?