what to do?

bodybag_2

Hi Chaps

I have a car with Blackhorse HP agreement. I am 16 months into my contract, I have had the turbo go on my car which cost me over £1000 to fix and was advised by the garage when turbo's go on these engines Citroen recommend a new engine!

The car seems to be ok now, although I can see soot developing on the turbo, and it might go again.

Now I'm not even close to my 50% mark to VT my car - but what are the penalties if I VT my car now?

Will they charge me upto 50% of the VT agreement?

I really cant afford another £1000+ to fix it again, I have read that turbo's are notorious for developing faults with this engine.

please advise.

Tilt

How old is the car and how much did you pay for it? Do you know what caused the original problem? Is there any outstanding warranty?

patman99

Is there any way you can get a cheaper loan (bank or Zopa) to pay-off the HP ?. At least you can then off-load the car via eBay/Autotrader etc.

Btw, what model is the car and what sort of driving do you do?.

bodybag_2

Hi

The car is a C4 picasso 1.6HDI 07 plate - there is no way I can pay the rest of with a bank loan(bad credit) I pay £226 a month for it. Its a HP agreement so the car doesnt belong to me, so I cant sell it.

I'm not too fussed about my credit history, this was destroyed many years ago(young&daft!)

To tell you the truth I do about 3-4K a year in it at the most, I take myself and partner to work in it and thats all.

I have a warranty with warranty direct, they actually paid for the turbo - I had to pay for the rest of it. The garage were really reluctant to change the turbo the first time, cant imagine them changing it the 2nd time.

motorguy

I hate those engines. Really really hate them.

Turbos go. EGR valves go. Air Flow meters go. DPFs go.

I've had two cars this year with this engine - first one cost £3,000 to get going right, second one is at £1200 and rising.

However if the turbo has been done 'right', then it should go again.

If (when) it does, find a good independent and get a refurb turbo.

patman99

4k a year for a diesel is doing it no favours. These things need at least 1 10-minute, 70 mph blast down the motorway every 200 miles or so to stop the DPF failing (you can get this removed and the ECU re-programmed for £400, but with the mileage you do, you would need to keep the car for 10 years to make your money back).
I have heard that fitting an EGR blanking kit helps stop the turbo failure, but the mpg when cold really suffers.

bodybag_2

Hi

Thanks for the replies. I thought buying a diesel was bullet proof! After buying the car a friend of mine told me about dpf's etc... I did think about having the DPF removed.

I was going to VT at half way through anyway, but I think this engine is going to cause me a lot of sleepless nights!

IF i VT it now, would I owe 14 months of payments, or would they bill be for the remainder of the 60?

Tilt

I would speak to the finance co before you do anything and see what they suggest. Sounds like you/they bought a bit of a dog.