PCP car completely dead, what are my options?

Bose82

I bought a used car on PCP from Peugeot in June of 2022. It came with a one year warranty and predictably, a few months after the warranty expired, it broke down. The cam timing chain snapped, resulting in irreparable damage to the engine. The fault is known by Peugeot and they have been rectifying this on some models. I wasn't told about this fault before buying the car or after. They've now given me a bill for £9000 to replace the entire engine and the car is only worth £13000. I feel like I'm in a huge hole now. I can't afford that, I've got a young son and another baby on the way. It simply isn't possible to pay this. 

Is there anyone that can help or advise me on what options I have here? Or am I just screwed? 

Alderbank

Bose82 said:

I bought a used car on PCP from Peugeot in June of 2022. It came with a one year warranty and predictably, a few months after the warranty expired, it broke down. The cam timing chain snapped, resulting in irreparable damage to the engine. The fault is known by Peugeot and they have been rectifying this on some models. I wasn't told about this fault before buying the car or after. They've now given me a bill for £9000 to replace the entire engine and the car is only worth £13000. I feel like I'm in a huge hole now. I can't afford that, I've got a young son and another baby on the way. It simply isn't possible to pay this. 

Is there anyone that can help or advise me on what options I have here? Or am I just screwed? 

Welcome to the forum.

What model Peugeot is it, how old is it and what mileage has it done?
Do you have full service history?

Unlike timing belts, a timing chain will often last the life of the car but will typically last 70-80k miles. It does depend very much on regular maintenance and the correct oil changes. There is usually some warning because the chain stretches and keeps throwing the timing out before it breaks.

Is yours a Peugeot 208 with the 1.2 Puretech engine?

Bose82

Alderbank said:

Bose82 said:

I bought a used car on PCP from Peugeot in June of 2022. It came with a one year warranty and predictably, a few months after the warranty expired, it broke down. The cam timing chain snapped, resulting in irreparable damage to the engine. The fault is known by Peugeot and they have been rectifying this on some models. I wasn't told about this fault before buying the car or after. They've now given me a bill for £9000 to replace the entire engine and the car is only worth £13000. I feel like I'm in a huge hole now. I can't afford that, I've got a young son and another baby on the way. It simply isn't possible to pay this. 

Is there anyone that can help or advise me on what options I have here? Or am I just screwed? 

Welcome to the forum.

What model Peugeot is it, how old is it and what mileage has it done?
Do you have full service history?

Unlike timing belts, a timing chain will often last the life of the car but will typically last 70-80k miles. It does depend very much on regular maintenance and the correct oil changes. There is usually some warning because the chain stretches and keeps throwing the timing out before it breaks.

Is yours a Peugeot 208 with the 1.2 Puretech engine?

Hi thanks for your reply.

It is a 68 plate Peugeot 3008 1.5 Diesel BlueHDI. It is fully serviced

TadleyBaggie

Did you really buy the car from Peugeot or was it a Peugeot dealer?

Bose82

TadleyBaggie said:

Did you really buy the car from Peugeot or was it a Peugeot dealer?

It was a Peugeot dealer. Trenton Peugeot in Grimsby to be exact

Alderbank

It is quite predictable that Trenton Peugeot would just say 'New engine, £9,000' but that might not be the case.

If the valves and pistons have not been damaged a local independent might be able to rebuild it for much less. I recently had the timing chain break in a Nissan Note. A well-recommended local guy fitted new chain and new oil pump for £600.

It's a few years now since I lived in Grimsby so I can't recommend anyone personally for you but your neighbours probably can.

Bose82

Alderbank said:

It is quite predictable that Trenton Peugeot would just say 'New engine, £9,000' but that might not be the case.

If the valves and pistons have not been damaged a local independent might be able to rebuild it for much less. I recently had the timing chain break in a Nissan Note. A well-recommended local guy fitted new chain and new oil pump for £600.

It's a few years now since I lived in Grimsby so I can't recommend anyone personally for you but your neighbours probably can.

Thank you. I was going to get it removed from Trenton anyway as they want to charge £120ph labour which is absolutely ridiculous. I'll try and find another mechanic. I also wanted to know if I had any rights in regards to Peugeot knowing there was an issue in some of their cars with the timing chain they fitted. I wasn't ever made aware of this until it actually finally snapped. I never noticed anything unusual with the car leading up to the incident. 

Alderbank

I am not sure about actual legal rights in regards to PSA (Peugeot Société Anonyme) but it is certainly worth appealing to them since your car is relatively new.

A poster on French car forum had a similar issue (Citroen are also PSA) and says:

So I have a citroen berlingo panel van (Aug 2019 make now 39K miles). The vehicle has a engine cut out in February 2023, and it is suggested of timing belt snapped possibly due to lack of service. The dealer suggested a new engine to be replaced which cost nearly 7K pounds, luckily Citroen customer care is willing to pay 80% of the cost...

https://frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74966

Bose82

Alderbank said:

I am not sure about actual legal rights in regards to PSA (Peugeot Société Anonyme) but it is certainly worth appealing to them since your car is relatively new.

A poster on French car forum had a similar issue (Citroen are also PSA) and says:

So I have a citroen berlingo panel van (Aug 2019 make now 39K miles). The vehicle has a engine cut out in February 2023, and it is suggested of timing belt snapped possibly due to lack of service. The dealer suggested a new engine to be replaced which cost nearly 7K pounds, luckily Citroen customer care is willing to pay 80% of the cost...

Right ok, that's actually very helpful, thank you so much. I may go to the dealer on Wednesday when I'm off work and enquire about that, see if I can get hold of someone at Peugeot and see if they'll sort it or point me in the right direction. Thank you, again