Citroen c4 catastrophic engine failure

Fluffyunicorn123

Last Sunday our 68 plate car broke down. Turned out to be catastrophic engine failure. We are paying monthly pcp payments for it, which are supposed to finish in may. I’ve no idea what to do or where to go. Surely a car this age shouldn’t have this? I’ve phoned there garage I bought it from (well known car dealership) and it’s to be taken to them to inspect. Rescue company on Sunday estimated £5k for new engine and labour etc. I’ve told the finance company too but no idea where I stand. I’ve 21 days to send them evidence that the fault was there when I got the car. Speaking to mechanics and looking online this is a common fault. What can I do? If it makes a difference it’s in Scotland 

TadleyBaggie

What exactly is the failure? Has the car been serviced as per the manufacturers schedule?

LightFlare

Also - when did you buy it

Keep_pedalling

Any warning lights come up before it failed? 

Arunmor

Have you had the cambelt replaced?

The timing belt kit on a Citroen C4 should be replaced every 74,500 miles or five years, whichever comes first.

born_again

Fluffyunicorn123 said:

Last Sunday our 68 plate car broke down. Turned out to be catastrophic engine failure. We are paying monthly pcp payments for it, which are supposed to finish in may. I’ve no idea what to do or where to go. Surely a car this age shouldn’t have this? I’ve phoned there garage I bought it from (well known car dealership) and it’s to be taken to them to inspect. Rescue company on Sunday estimated £5k for new engine and labour etc. I’ve told the finance company too but no idea where I stand. I’ve 21 days to send them evidence that the fault was there when I got the car. Speaking to mechanics and looking online this is a common fault. What can I do? If it makes a difference it’s in Scotland 

So a 6 year old car.
What mileage?
Has it been serviced in line with Citroen schedule?
What sort of finance, hope it's not PCP on a car of that age.

LightFlare

born_again said:

Fluffyunicorn123 said:

Last Sunday our 68 plate car broke down. Turned out to be catastrophic engine failure. We are paying monthly pcp payments for it, which are supposed to finish in may. I’ve no idea what to do or where to go. Surely a car this age shouldn’t have this? I’ve phoned there garage I bought it from (well known car dealership) and it’s to be taken to them to inspect. Rescue company on Sunday estimated £5k for new engine and labour etc. I’ve told the finance company too but no idea where I stand. I’ve 21 days to send them evidence that the fault was there when I got the car. Speaking to mechanics and looking online this is a common fault. What can I do? If it makes a difference it’s in Scotland 

So a 6 year old car.
What mileage?
Has it been serviced in line with Citroen schedule?
What sort of finance, hope it's not PCP on a car of that age.

Fluffyunicorn123 said:

Last Sunday our 68 plate car broke down. Turned out to be catastrophic engine failure. We are paying monthly pcp payments for it, which are supposed to finish in may. I’ve no idea what to do or where to go. Surely a car this age shouldn’t have this? I’ve phoned there garage I bought it from (well known car dealership) and it’s to be taken to them to inspect. Rescue company on Sunday estimated £5k for new engine and labour etc. I’ve told the finance company too but no idea where I stand. I’ve 21 days to send them evidence that the fault was there when I got the car. Speaking to mechanics and looking online this is a common fault. What can I do? If it makes a difference it’s in Scotland 

looks as though it is

pinkshoes

Fluffyunicorn123 said:

Last Sunday our 68 plate car broke down. Turned out to be catastrophic engine failure. We are paying monthly pcp payments for it, which are supposed to finish in may. I’ve no idea what to do or where to go. Surely a car this age shouldn’t have this? I’ve phoned there garage I bought it from (well known car dealership) and it’s to be taken to them to inspect. Rescue company on Sunday estimated £5k for new engine and labour etc. I’ve told the finance company too but no idea where I stand. I’ve 21 days to send them evidence that the fault was there when I got the car. Speaking to mechanics and looking online this is a common fault. What can I do? If it makes a difference it’s in Scotland 

Have you owned this 6 year old car from new?

Your consumer rights are against the retailer. I think from memory it's only 5 years from purchase that you have rights in Scotland. 6 years in England. You would then still need to prove that the engine fault was inherent and not caused by your driving.

But yes, sometimes engines do fail. 

I'd be getting another quote other than that of the rescue company. 

Grumpy_chap

Fluffyunicorn123 said:

Last Sunday our 68 plate car broke down. Turned out to be catastrophic engine failure. We are paying monthly pcp payments for it, which are supposed to finish in may. I’ve no idea what to do or where to go. Surely a car this age shouldn’t have this? I’ve phoned there garage I bought it from (well known car dealership) and it’s to be taken to them to inspect. Rescue company on Sunday estimated £5k for new engine and labour etc. I’ve told the finance company too but no idea where I stand. I’ve 21 days to send them evidence that the fault was there when I got the car. Speaking to mechanics and looking online this is a common fault. What can I do? If it makes a difference it’s in Scotland 

What actually is the "catastrophic engine failure"?  

Is this the same Citroen C4 that broke down in this thread?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6573145/dealer-did-not-replace-timing-belt-at-correct-interval-causing-engine-to-cut-out-and-a-large-bill#latest