Chani Valchanov

Madame, Monsieur,

Je me permets de vous adresser la présente en votre qualité d'ancien propriétaire du véhicule Fiat 500e, immatriculé sous le numéro de châssis VIN : ZFAEFAC47NX098331, avant sa mise en vente par l'intermédiaire d'OPENLANE.

J'ai acquis ce véhicule auprès d'un revendeur en Bulgarie. Au moment de l'achat, le véhicule affichait environ 16 000 kilomètres, ce qui ne laissait présager aucun problème technique majeur.

Peu après l'acquisition, j'ai constaté une défaillance grave du système Uconnect, qui affecte de manière significative le fonctionnement normal du véhicule. Le coût estimé de la remise en état s'élève à environ 3 500 euros.

Or, ce défaut n'était mentionné ni dans le rapport d'inspection, ni dans les informations communiquées lors de la vente sur la plateforme OPENLANE. Si cette défaillance avait été signalée, je n'aurais jamais acheté ce véhicule dans les conditions proposées.

Afin d'obtenir des informations sur l'historique du véhicule, j'ai contacté Fiat France. Il m'a été officiellement répondu qu'en raison du Règlement Général sur la Protection des Données (RGPD) et des limites de leurs systèmes informatiques, il leur était impossible de me communiquer l'historique complet des entretiens et réparations du véhicule.

Je me retrouve ainsi dans une situation particulièrement injuste : il m'est impossible d'obtenir les informations nécessaires concernant l'historique du véhicule, tandis que je dois supporter seul le coût d'une réparation de 3 500 euros pour un défaut qui n'a jamais été porté à ma connaissance avant l'achat.

En tant qu'ancien propriétaire, votre société est la mieux placée pour préciser si ce défaut existait avant la mise en vente ou si des informations techniques relatives à ce véhicule étaient connues avant sa commercialisation.

Je vous demande donc de réexaminer ce dossier avec la plus grande attention et de me communiquer votre position officielle, ainsi que toute information ou documentation susceptible de clarifier l'état technique du véhicule avant sa vente.

Je souhaite privilégier une solution amiable. Toutefois, à défaut d'une réponse satisfaisante dans un délai de quinze (15) jours à compter de la réception de la présente, je transmettrai ce dossier à mon avocat afin d'engager toutes les procédures nécessaires à la défense de mes droits, y compris devant les juridictions compétentes ainsi qu'auprès des organismes européens compétents en matière de protection des consommateurs.

Je tiens également à souligner que cette situation m'a causé un préjudice financier important ainsi qu'une perte de confiance dans les informations fournies lors de la vente. J'espère sincèrement que votre société examinera ce dossier avec toute l'attention qu'il mérite et proposera une solution équitable.

Dans l'attente de votre réponse, veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.

Valchan Valchanov
Bulgarie
Propriétaire du véhicule Fiat 500e
VIN : ZFAEFAC47NX098331

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to you regarding the Fiat 500e, VIN: ZFAEFAC47NX098331, previously owned by Arval France before being offered for sale through OPENLANE.

I purchased the vehicle from a dealer in Bulgaria. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had approximately 16,000 kilometers, a mileage that gave every indication of a vehicle in excellent technical condition.

Shortly after the purchase, I discovered a serious malfunction affecting the Uconnect system, which significantly compromises the normal operation and use of the vehicle. According to the official technical diagnosis, the estimated repair cost is approximately €3,500.

This defect was not disclosed in the inspection report or in any of the information provided during the auction process. Had this defect been disclosed, I would never have purchased the vehicle under the agreed conditions.

In an effort to clarify the vehicle's history, I contacted Fiat France and requested the maintenance records. Fiat officially informed me that, due to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the limitations of their internal systems, they are unable to provide the complete maintenance history of the vehicle.

As a result, I have been placed in an extremely unfair situation. I am unable to obtain the vehicle's maintenance history, yet I am expected to bear the entire cost of a €3,500 repair for a defect that was never disclosed before the sale.

As the previous owner of this vehicle, Arval is in the best position to clarify whether this defect already existed before the vehicle was offered for sale or whether any technical information concerning this issue was known prior to the auction.

I therefore formally request that you review this matter carefully and provide your official position, together with any documents or information relating to the technical condition and maintenance history of the vehicle prior to its sale.

I sincerely hope that this matter can be resolved amicably. However, if I do not receive a satisfactory response within 15 days of receipt of this letter, I will instruct legal counsel to take all necessary legal actions to protect my rights, including proceedings before the competent courts and, where appropriate, the relevant European consumer protection authorities.

I would also like to emphasize that this situation has caused me substantial financial loss and has seriously undermined my confidence in the information provided during the sale of the vehicle. I trust that Arval will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and will propose a fair and reasonable solution.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Valchan Valchanov
Bulgaria
Owner of Fiat 500e
VIN: ZFAEFAC47NX098331

Madame, Monsieur,

Je me permets de vous adresser la présente en votre qualité d'ancien propriétaire du véhicule Fiat 500e, immatriculé sous le numéro de châssis VIN : ZFAEFAC47NX098331, avant sa mise en vente par l'intermédiaire d'OPENLANE.

J'ai acquis ce véhicule auprès d'un revendeur en Bulgarie. Au moment de l'achat, le véhicule affichait environ 16 000 kilomètres, ce qui ne laissait présager aucun problème technique majeur.

Peu après l'acquisition, j'ai constaté une défaillance grave du système Uconnect, qui affecte de manière significative le fonctionnement normal du véhicule. Le coût estimé de la remise en état s'élève à environ 3 500 euros.

Or, ce défaut n'était mentionné ni dans le rapport d'inspection, ni dans les informations communiquées lors de la vente sur la plateforme OPENLANE. Si cette défaillance avait été signalée, je n'aurais jamais acheté ce véhicule dans les conditions proposées.

Afin d'obtenir des informations sur l'historique du véhicule, j'ai contacté Fiat France. Il m'a été officiellement répondu qu'en raison du Règlement Général sur la Protection des Données (RGPD) et des limites de leurs systèmes informatiques, il leur était impossible de me communiquer l'historique complet des entretiens et réparations du véhicule.

Je me retrouve ainsi dans une situation particulièrement injuste : il m'est impossible d'obtenir les informations nécessaires concernant l'historique du véhicule, tandis que je dois supporter seul le coût d'une réparation de 3 500 euros pour un défaut qui n'a jamais été porté à ma connaissance avant l'achat.

En tant qu'ancien propriétaire, votre société est la mieux placée pour préciser si ce défaut existait avant la mise en vente ou si des informations techniques relatives à ce véhicule étaient connues avant sa commercialisation.

Je vous demande donc de réexaminer ce dossier avec la plus grande attention et de me communiquer votre position officielle, ainsi que toute information ou documentation susceptible de clarifier l'état technique du véhicule avant sa vente.

Je souhaite privilégier une solution amiable. Toutefois, à défaut d'une réponse satisfaisante dans un délai de quinze (15) jours à compter de la réception de la présente, je transmettrai ce dossier à mon avocat afin d'engager toutes les procédures nécessaires à la défense de mes droits, y compris devant les juridictions compétentes ainsi qu'auprès des organismes européens compétents en matière de protection des consommateurs.

Je tiens également à souligner que cette situation m'a causé un préjudice financier important ainsi qu'une perte de confiance dans les informations fournies lors de la vente. J'espère sincèrement que votre société examinera ce dossier avec toute l'attention qu'il mérite et proposera une solution équitable.

Dans l'attente de votre réponse, veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.

Valchan Valchanov
Bulgarie
Propriétaire du véhicule Fiat 500e
VIN : ZFAEFAC47NX098331

Complaint Regarding Undisclosed Serious Defect on Ex-Arval Vehicle

I would like to formally complain about a Fiat 500e (2022) ZFAEFAC47NX098331 .That was previously owned and operated by Arval and later sold through OpenLane.

The vehicle was purchased through OpenLane and the auction description did not disclose any serious technical defects. According to the vehicle report, only cosmetic imperfections were mentioned. No information was provided regarding electronic, infotainment, telematics, climate control or vehicle control system failures.

Shortly after purchase, the vehicle was diagnosed by an authorized Fiat service center with major defects affecting the Uconnect and related control modules. These failures prevent the normal operation of essential vehicle functions, including climate control, multimedia functions, settings management and other integrated systems.

The vehicle has only approximately 16,000 km of mileage. A repair estimate from an authorized Fiat dealer indicates costs between €3,000 and €5,000. Such a significant failure at such low mileage raises serious concerns that the defect may have existed before the vehicle was offered for sale.

As the former owner and fleet operator of the vehicle, Arval may have had access to maintenance records, diagnostic reports or fault history that could have revealed these issues before the vehicle entered the OpenLane auction platform.

I therefore request an investigation into:

- Whether these defects were known or detectable during Arval's ownership.
- Whether any fault codes, diagnostics or repair records existed before the sale.
- Why these serious technical defects were not disclosed in the auction information provided to buyers.

I believe that buyers should receive complete and accurate information regarding the technical condition of vehicles offered through professional remarketing channels.

I am prepared to provide the OpenLane vehicle description, diagnostic reports, repair estimates and supporting documentation upon request.

Sincerely,

Chani Valchanov
Bulgaria. Hello,

Thank you for your response.

Unfortunately, I do not have the former French registration number of the vehicle.

However, I can provide the VIN number:

ZFAEFAC47NX098331

The vehicle is a 2022 Fiat 500e purchased through OpenLane and previously managed by Arval France.

Please use the VIN number to identify the vehicle and review its history, including any previous diagnostics, repairs, technical reports, or complaints related to the electronic systems and the Uconnect module.

Thank you for your assistance. I am available to provide diagnostic reports, repair estimates, and additional documentation if required.

Kind regards,

Chani Valchanov.

Update:

I would like to respectfully request Arval's assistance regarding the maintenance history of this vehicle.

The vehicle is a 2022 Fiat 500e (42 kWh), VIN ZFAEFAC47NX098331, previously operated by Carrefour France under an Arval lease agreement.

Fiat is currently reviewing a goodwill claim concerning a major electronic failure. As part of this process, Fiat has requested information regarding the vehicle's maintenance and service history.

The vehicle has covered only approximately 16,000 km. I would therefore be grateful if Arval could confirm whether maintenance records, servicing information, or details of the servicing network used during the lease period are available.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and could help resolve the ongoing case with Fiat.

Thank you for your time and support.

Dear OPENLANE Europe Team,

Subject: Fiat 500e – VIN: ZFAEFAC47NX098331

Thank you for your response and for taking the time to consider the issues I reported regarding the Fiat 500e I purchased through your platform.

However, I would like to emphasize that the faults identified are not minor defects or the result of normal wear and tear. They are serious electronic and communication system failures affecting essential vehicle functions. These defects existed at the time of sale and could not reasonably have been detected during a standard initial inspection.

As you correctly note, modern electric vehicles require specialized diagnostic equipment and technical expertise. The faults were identified only after a thorough inspection carried out by an authorized Fiat service center. This confirms that these were hidden defects rather than issues that could have been discovered by an ordinary buyer within the standard claim period.

I would also like to stress that such a serious electronic fault cannot be identified during the normal handover and acceptance of the vehicle. Determining the exact cause of the malfunction requires a specialized diagnostic procedure performed by an authorized service center with the appropriate equipment and expertise.

In practice, such diagnostics require booking a service appointment, transporting the vehicle, carrying out technical inspections, and obtaining an official report. This process often takes longer than the period allowed for filing a claim. For this reason, I believe that in cases involving complex electronic and software-related faults, the standard deadlines do not always allow buyers sufficient time to identify the nature and extent of the problem and respond accordingly.

Furthermore, I would like to point out that the electronic and communication system defects were not disclosed in the auction report or in the information provided about the vehicle at the time of sale. Had these significant defects been properly disclosed, they would have directly affected my purchasing decision and the vehicle’s market value. Therefore, I believe that the vehicle did not fully correspond to the condition in which it was presented for sale.

The vehicle cannot currently be used normally or reliably. The defect with which the vehicle was sold through OPENLANE affects critical electronic systems and significantly limits its functionality and reliability. According to the assessment of the authorized service center, the necessary repair costs are estimated to be between €3,000 and €5,000, representing a substantial and unexpected expense while significantly reducing the vehicle's value.

In addition, I would like to draw attention to the fact that the vehicle has a mileage of only approximately 16,000 kilometers. With such low mileage, it is not reasonable to conclude that this serious electronic and communication system defect is the result of normal wear and tear or regular use. On the contrary, the existence of such a problem in a vehicle with such low mileage strongly suggests that the defect existed before the sale or was already present at the time the vehicle was delivered.

In light of the above, I believe this case should be assessed not only from the perspective of procedural deadlines but also considering the fact that this is a hidden defect that could not objectively have been identified without specialized diagnostics and expert evaluation.

I respectfully request that OPENLANE reconsider my claim in view of the technical nature of these defects, the vehicle's inability to be used properly, the fact that the defects were not disclosed in the auction report, the vehicle’s very low mileage, and the documentation provided by the authorized Fiat service center. I believe it would be fair to evaluate this claim based on the actual circumstances and available evidence rather than solely on procedural deadlines.

I remain available to provide any additional documents, diagnostic reports, invoices, or technical statements that may assist in the review of this case.

I look forward to your response and hope for a fair resolution of this matter.

Kind regards,

Chani Valchanov

I purchased a 2022 Fiat 500e through OpenLane. The vehicle report stated only minor cosmetic imperfections and did not mention any technical defects, electronic failures, or issues affecting the operation of the vehicle's systems.

After delivery, it became clear that the vehicle suffers from serious faults affecting the Uconnect system and communication modules. As a result, many essential functions cannot be used correctly, including climate control, infotainment functions, audio controls, language settings, vehicle settings, and other features that are part of the normal operation of the vehicle.

Although the vehicle is able to drive, it cannot be considered fully functional or reliable. A modern electric vehicle relies heavily on its electronic systems, and when these systems fail, the vehicle does not correspond to the condition that was presented at the time of sale.

The estimated repair cost exceeds €3,000 and requires the replacement of major electronic modules. Such a significant defect should have been detected during inspection and clearly disclosed in the vehicle condition report before the vehicle was offered for sale.

I am also concerned about OpenLane's three-day claim and return period. In practice, three days is not sufficient to identify and properly diagnose complex electronic defects in a modern electric vehicle. When the vehicle was delivered, the problems initially appeared to be software-related. Determining the true cause required inspection and diagnosis by an authorized Fiat service center, which cannot realistically be arranged and completed within only three days of delivery.

Complex electronic and communication system failures often require specialized diagnostic equipment, technical expertise, and time for investigation. A buyer cannot reasonably be expected to discover and document such hidden defects within such a short period.

I believe that the current three-day deadline does not provide adequate protection for buyers when hidden technical defects are involved, especially defects that require professional diagnosis by an authorized service center.

The information provided by OpenLane did not accurately reflect the actual condition of the vehicle and prevented me from making a fully informed purchasing decision. I therefore request a formal explanation as to how these defects were not detected or reported before the vehicle was listed for sale and ask OpenLane to review this case and provide an appropriate resolution.

A vehicle that can move but cannot properly operate many of its essential functions should not be described as having only cosmetic defects.