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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think Citroen are a shower of shit?

69 replies

ENormaSnob · 24/04/2012 17:17

Bought a car from Citroen dealership 6 weeks ago. Nice car, low mileage, tax & mot and 3 months warranty. Car is 4.5 years old.

Lovely.

Except it's fucking broke 6 weeks later

And the warranty only covers the first £100. Which I wasn't informed of when I bought the fucking thing

I am enraged

OP posts:

Fiveisenough · 24/04/2012 19:28

I work at a garage and they have to fix your car. Trading standard clearly states that they have to warranty the car for six months when you purchase from a car trader i.e. not a private sale. They number of cars I see brought in where people have been told it was sold as seen etc. it does not matter what they have told you with regard to private warranties. If you are not happy you can ask for your money back and give them the car back. It's the law.

Quote trading standards at them. Give them the chance to fix it if not demand your money back. I have helped lots of our customers from being ripped off with this information.

starsintheireyes · 24/04/2012 19:31

I would disagree, I bought my picasso 2nd hand 5 yrs ago(but only 22k on clock) and up till this month the only things ive replaced are minor things like bulbs and a new exhaust....however within the last 4 weeks its cost me £400 as the alternator went, then it had to have new front discs and pads :(

overall though i cant complain, ive driven it a hard 65k since ive had it, so its a wonder nothing else has gone wrong!

The car id stay far away from is renaults, everyone of my friends has had loads of problems with theirs, all diff models too.

fatmummy35 · 24/04/2012 19:38

Did you not think it was a bit strange OP that you didn't get any paperwork regarding the warranty. How do you know you're not covered under the warranty if you haven't got any paperwork?

Fiveisenough · 24/04/2012 19:43

As in my previous post the following is from trading standards website:

When you buy a used motor vehicle from a trader, you enter into a legally binding contract and you are entitled to expect that it is of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. An older vehicle with high mileage may not be as good as a newer vehicle with low mileage, but it should still be fit for use on the road and in a condition that reflects its age and price.
Traders cannot take away consumers' rights by using terms such as 'sold as seen' or 'no refunds'. If you buy a used vehicle from a trader online, you may have additional rights under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000. You do not have the same legal rights if you buy a vehicle from a private seller or an auction.
If the used vehicle is faulty, you have a short time after buying it to reject it. You may have other remedies such as repair or replacement. If the vehicle is faulty then you need to write to trader you bought it from. You should confirm the details of your complaint and the remedy you are seeking and keep copies of all correspondence. As a last resort, you may need to consider taking court action. Remember, used vehicles may have some faults, but they should not be excessive. Fair wear and tear is not considered to be a fault.

supernannyisace · 24/04/2012 19:58

DH and me have a Citroen each and have had minimal probs.
Mine has been perfect - itis the Grand C4 -bought in Sep 09 - not loads of mileage on, but have driven to South ofFrance a couple of times.
Hub has a C5 - his was the ex showroom car, so had lots of miles for a year old, but only issue was a prob with the suspension - undrivable - but the warranty covered the towtruck and repairs.

I have no faith in Fords - so we all have brand we don't trust.

Original poster

ENormaSnob · 24/04/2012 20:00

It was bought direct from a Citroen dealership.

Fatlazy, I found out because it broke yesterday and has had to go in today. I was under the impression all would be sorted courtesy of the warranty. They rang at 5pm to inform that the warranty isnt a warranty. I have had it 6 weeks. I have checked the paperwork, there is supposed to be a white booklet containing details of the 'warranty'. I haven't got one.

Fiveis, could you possibly point me to where the information on consumer rights is? I am going to draft a letter tonight.

OP posts:

laloue · 24/04/2012 20:03

A two Citroen household here, one company car C5 had from new and one 7 year old C4 coupe that we bought last year (from a dealer). No issues at all with either (barring one headlamp bulb), more than happy with the local dealership. Been to the South of France in the big one and piled the miles on it - 50k in 18 months - runs like a dream....my next car will be another Citroen (angling for a DS3 :0) ) I fear you have just encountered a crap dealership.

landofsoapandglory · 24/04/2012 20:12

Have you googled to see if it is a single dealership or part of a chain? I would be ringing tomorrow morning at 9am to speak to the dealer principal. Ask them why you have not been given the white booklet with the warranty in it.

I bought a very low mileage, 18 month old Peugeot 306 a while back. The first time it rained, I got in it to find a huge puddle in the passenger footwell. I took it back to the garage, they "fixed" it. It happened again and again. I phoned Trading Standards, they told me to give them one more chance and helped me write a letter to this effect, and said if they didn't fix it that time I was either to be given a replacement or a refund. In the end I got my money back, but it was really, really stressful.

Maybe, ring Trading Standards in the morning first thing, before you do anything because they give you a reference number so you can quote that to the garage so they will know you aren't messing around!

landofsoapandglory · 24/04/2012 20:15

Here's your consumer rights re buying a car ENorma

Fiveisenough · 24/04/2012 20:18

Enorma. The bit I just pasted is on the trading standards website. From past experience I have helped lots of people with this. It's under help and advice. I would paste a link but I'm useless. Cars I can do. Honestly if you explain you have checked with trading standards and you are entitled to have the car repaired satisfactorily or you will be giving them the keys back. A few weeks ago I helped a lady who bought a Renault espace only receipt she had was a piece of paper saying sold as seen they had bodged the car to stop the engine light coming on. She got all her money back after quoting trading standards. All car dealers will avoid paying to fix your car if they can help it. But they are legally obliged to. I'll try and copy and paste a link to the page for you.

Babylon1 · 24/04/2012 20:18

Citroën?? Sounds more like shitroen to me!

German all the way is the only way VAG vehicles are awesome - we have a whole collection of them!!

Fiveisenough · 24/04/2012 20:20

Landof has already beat me to it.

At least you know the law is on your side. I have seen car dealers taken to court over this and loose!!

Debeez · 24/04/2012 20:20

YANBU. Their customer services is awful, they said they'd booked me in for worked needed after a failed MOT. Turned up for work, hadn't booked me in, either drive home illegally or leave it with them. Not their fault, apparently when they said yes we can book you in for 10am Monday what the said was, well nothing, they had no answer. Citreons are bloody awful cars, we took it to a private garage until we could afford a new car. Never again.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 24/04/2012 20:23

Tweet them

Send them a link to this thread

It has worked wonders in the past with other companies.

I am in the middle of bedtime here, but otherwise would look for email addresses and twitter stuff.

Original poster

ENormaSnob · 24/04/2012 20:24

Thank you so much for all the help and advice.

Off to work shortly but will update as and when I can.

They seem to be using this 3 month 'warranty' as a selling tool when in actual fact, it doesn't exist.

OP posts:

Original poster

ENormaSnob · 26/04/2012 10:18

I have just spoken to consumer rights people via the trading standards website.

They were lovely and helpful and have helped me to draft a letter that will be sent recorded delivery tomorrow.

Basically, they have to repair the car. If that is not successful they have to offer a refund/replacement.

Thanks againg to all the helpful replies, I feel a lot better now

OP posts:

fluffiphlox · 26/04/2012 10:24

The French have many fine qualities, car building is not one of them. German or Swedish is what you want.

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 26/04/2012 10:25

Well it is French for 'Lemon'!
Actually I've had 3 citroens now, all bought as used cars. They are ok. Most of the time. DP has a Peugeot. They are incredibly shit!
My next car will be a Ford.

Original poster

ENormaSnob · 26/04/2012 10:27

Saggy, I had a peugeot 307hdi a few years ago that was shit.

2 months after warranty ended the fly wheel went at 30,000 miles

OP posts:

Longdistance · 26/04/2012 10:29

NEVER buy a French car!
Sorry, not much use now, but I've always stuck by that rule.
I'm not 100%, but am sure that if ur not happy with the car you can request a refund maybe brand new cars, not sure scratches head

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 26/04/2012 10:31

DP has a 1007. The one with the slidy doors. It's a pile of useless shite! His company cars have always been peugeots, and they've always been bad, but this one takes the absolute biscuit! My FIL was nearly decapitated the last time he got in, and the door closed too early!

Shangers · 26/04/2012 10:36

we've had no end of problems with our citroen - luckily nothing dangerous yet but lots of niggling little things - mostly electrical (windows stuck open, aircon breaking, gearbox sticking in 1st gear... ok that was pretty major!) - love the design etc but wouldn't buy a citroen myself (luckily for us it's a leased company car so none of the bills end up in my pocket).

Hope you get it sorted - sounds like it's more a dealership problem for you than a citroen one though tbh

Changethatbulb · 26/04/2012 10:39

It's a car lottery out there. I have a Citroen. Best car I've ever had.

I wouldn't touch a Renault again with a 10 foot bargepole. Driving along and your whole electronic dashboard display disappears = not a good experience.

Always loved a Mercedes. They just went on, and on, and on, and on. 100,000+ miles on the clock and it kept on going.

Anyway, OP I hope you get it sorted and the letter has the desired effect.

CallMeAl · 26/04/2012 12:12

I adore my citreon, its the best car I ever had. Except it guzzles petrol like I do beer. But apart from that, its a beaut.

You should have been more on the ball with your paperwork when you bought.

Original poster

ENormaSnob · 26/04/2012 13:23

Paperwork is irrelevant al. Despite the fact I wasn't given any pertaining to the fake warranty at all.

They have sold me a car not fit for purpose and therefore are liable to fix it.

OP posts:

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