Citreon Berlingo purchase -big mistake

Carolinemjs

usefulmale wrote: »

Why have you spent close to 10 grand on an item you have not researched?

I considered the amount of time and detail I discussed at the dealerwas my research. Your comment isn't helpful at this stage is it, the deed is done, don't rub my nose in it. And I didn't ask for your opinion, I'm here for any useful advice.

force_ten

the figures on the government website say that

Imperial Urban (cold) 46.3, Imperial Extra Urban 61.4, Imperial Combined (weighted) 54.3 and that is for the CITROEN Berlingo Multispace HDi 90 April 2012 onwards

so the official Imperial Extra Urban figure for that car is 61.4MPG so chances are the selling dealer was quoting that figure

I fully understand that you have taken the dealers word on this but I doubt that there is much that you can do about it now

vikingaero

Carolinemjs wrote: »

Yes I do mostly short runs, but I've been doing the same kind of trip for 10 years now and my old diesel focus estate, written off in December, still managed to return 46-48! I would have been happy with that as a minimum.

The Berlingo is a fair bit wider and taller (MPV tall) than the Focus Estate. As such it's going to have a much larger frontal area which is going to impact on aerodynamics and fuel economy. For this reason no MPV is going to be as efficient as a similar sized normal car.

Clearly I'm not happy, that's why I'm writing here. Do I have any kind of redress or am I the victim of my own stupidity in trusting the dealer?

In 20+ years of car buyer, even from a regular salesman, if a car dealer said to me: "Lovely weather outside." I would go out and check before believing him. Treat everything they say as a lie until you have researched it.

Carolinemjs

Thank you all for putting it into perspective, I take your point and had assumed I wouldn't be able to achieve anything but felt it was worth asking here first.
I will make the director/salesman very aware of how disappointed I am though. I can add my experience to the reviews on their website though I doubt it would last long.
In a rural area reputation counts or a lot more than in a city, I won't hesitate to share my lack of confidence in the word of this person.

It feels so much better for getting it off my chest:)

custardy

Carolinemjs wrote: »

On 1st October I bought a Berlingo from a Citroen dealer for £9300, 2012 1.6 diesel.
Fuel economy is important to me as I live in a rural area and have to drive everywhere. The salesman, who also happened to be the director, told me the Berlingo is a very economical vehicle, implying that a figure of 60 mpg was possible. I took the car out for a test drive and on return commented that the mpg display was firmly displaying 50.4.
His response was that he would be very surprised if I didn't achieve 60 on the display. I said, OK on your word then I will be very disappointed if I dont! There was further discussion about mpg and when he suggested I go into town and speak to the taxi drivers who use Berlingos I said I dont need to do that - I trust you:((

Well the first fill up returned 40.7 mpg and the second, yesterday 42.5.
I contacted him after the first fill up expressing my extreme disappointment and of course there were all kinds of excuses as to why I only got 40.7.
Yes I do mostly short runs, but I've been doing the same kind of trip for 10 years now and my old diesel focus estate, written off in December, still managed to return 46-48! I would have been happy with that as a minimum.

The director has been on holiday since we last spoke but returns tomorrow and if there is anything I can I would like to get started.
This is a family business, they are the largest Citroen repairers in the UK, though not largest dealers. The company mission statement is "To be recommended".

Clearly I'm not happy, that's why I'm writing here. Do I have any kind of redress or am I the victim of my own stupidity in trusting the dealer?

Caroline

You are saying you got the mpg from the computer or you actually checked by the fuel you put it/used?

Strider590

A modern diesel for short journeys is a very bad choice. You'll need to take it for a long run once or twice a month to allow the DPF to regen, or you'll be facing a £1000 repair bill**

Not to mention that diesels runs cooler than petrols, so short journeys won't get it up to operating temp, the battery will suffer, the exhaust will rot and the oil will need changing more often due to humidity build up in the engine block.

Plus, the govt did a u turn on diesels, it's expected that vehicle ownership tax (VED) will be going up for diesels.

**It's possible that it doesn't have a DPF if it's the 8v engine, so check this out and bare it in mind.

Carolinemjs

The mpg showing on the computer was very close to the figure I calculated after filling up, about 40.3 and 42.1 on computer.

Carolinemjs

Strider590 wrote: »

A modern diesel for short journeys is a very bad choice. You'll need to take it for a long run once or twice a month to allow the DPF to regen, or you'll be facing a £1000 repair bill**

Not to mention that diesels runs cooler than petrols, so short journeys won't get it up to operating temp, the battery will suffer, the exhaust will rot and the oil will need changing more often due to humidity build up in the engine block.

Plus, the govt did a u turn on diesels, it's expected that vehicle ownership tax (VED) will be going up for diesels.

**It's possible that it doesn't have a DPF if it's the 8v engine, so check this out and bare it in mind.

I clearly need some advice about what I should have bought!
I have 4 dogs to transport, sometimes 5. Live on the top of a hill so there's always a climb. Do short trips between 5-10 miles ish, around 30-40 miles a day. Ideally would like the back to be long enough for me to sleep in, without dogs, for the odd night camping, which of course the Berlingo isn't.

motorguy

Carolinemjs wrote: »

The salesman, who also happened to be the director, told me the Berlingo is a very economical vehicle, implying that a figure of 60 mpg was possible.

He was absolutely right. 60mpg is possible, but highly likely to be achieved unless you're doing very long runs.

Depending on what engine yours is, 45-48mpg is much more likely.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/citroen/berlingo-multispace-2008

motorguy

Carolinemjs wrote: »

I clearly need some advice about what I should have bought!
I have 4 dogs to transport, sometimes 5. Live on the top of a hill so there's always a climb. Do short trips between 5-10 miles ish, around 30-40 miles a day. Ideally would like the back to be long enough for me to sleep in, without dogs, for the odd night camping, which of course the Berlingo isn't.

You're carrying 5 dogs in it, doing short runs fully laden, but expecting 60mpg? :eek: