Turns out my car needs a new engine, not a replacement sensor....

KPM2019

Update (or not)
Well here we are 6 weeks after dropping my car back to the dealer to replace the engine and still no news.
I have emailed almost weekly for updates, having been told on 7th March that the engine had arrived and I should have the car back by 14th March and when I chased on 17th March was told to bear in mind they were doing this as a gesture of goodwill since my warranty had expired, there had been a delay due to transport issues and it would be at least 2 further weeks.
I have now emailed to reject the repair, given the timeframe and to request a replacement or preferably a refund, having lost confidence in the car (and the dealer tbh)
I've been out of work since September and bought the car to be able to widen my job search. I can't apply for jobs requiring a commute without having a driveable car! 
They have until 25th March to respond to my last email or its a Letter before Action next. I have also logged the details with CAB. 
Feeling very stressed and frustrated. 
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I bought a 2nd hand (2014) Peugeot 208 in mid September 2024 from a local dealer. It had done 26500 miles and had a service history book. It came with tax, a brand new MOT and service when I collected it. I've only driven it 470 miles since then. 

The "check engine" light came on once on Christmas Day, driving along the A38. I drove it round to the dealer once they opened after the holidays and was told it was an oxygen sensor fault and nothing major. He deleted the fault from his diagnostic tool and recommended I drive it more often. I'd only done local trips up until last week.

The check engine light came on again last Thursday, on my way down the A38 and again on the way back, a 20 mile journey each way. I went to the dealer to tell them and to ask for a recommended garage. It was the same garage I used for my old car so I was happy to use them.
Of course, the 3 month warranty had expired 1 week before the first warning light had come on :-( 

I took it to the garage at 8am this morning, expecting to pay for their own diagnostic check and a replacement sensor, but had a call at 4:30pm advising that they'd done a thorough check of the vehicle and concluded that it needs a new engine :-O

I have a print out of many many issues which are all way over my head, but highlights include: misfiring cylinder, engine making a knocking sound, oil residue inside cylinders, heavy scoring, burning oil, failed big end/thrust washers on the crankshaft, oil level overfilled, battery failed voltage/load test, front bush delaminating, rear bush perished, rear axle beam corroded, replacement engine required.

I know "buyer beware", "put it down to experience" etc. I am a single woman who should have taken someone who knows about cars with me, none of that helps right now. I have been quoted £6500-7000 for a replacement engine which I'm obviously not going to go for as the car was only £4k but what do I say to the dealer? I feel like dropping it off and just giving them the keys back. I paid via bank transfer, not on a credit card. 

Can I expect any kind of helpful response or action from the dealer? Should these issues not have shown up in one of the services or on the MOT? 
Any advice would be appreciated. 
Thank you in advance,
*feeling like an idiot*

Mildly_Miffed

"I feel like dropping it off and just giving them the keys back."

That's exactly what you do.

Then, if they don't refund you the purchase price, you launch a small claim for it.

(Battery, suspension issues aren't to do with the engine - and aren't unexpected or unreasonable to expect on an 11yo car.)

KPM2019

Mildly_Miffed said:

"I feel like dropping it off and just giving them the keys back."

That's exactly what you do.

Then, if they don't refund you the purchase price, you launch a small claim for it.

(Battery, suspension issues aren't to do with the engine - and aren't unexpected or unreasonable to expect on an 11yo car.)

So I should probably call to make an appointment as they're always busy or on the phone, take the printed out findings from the garage and I would be within my rights to ask for a refund? it's bad timing. I only bought the car to be able to apply for jobs slightly further afield.

Baldytyke88

KPM2019 said:

I bought a 2nd hand (2014) Peugeot 208 in mid September 2024 from a local dealer. It had done 26500 miles and had a service history book. It came with tax, a brand new MOT and service when I collected it. I've only driven it 470 miles since then. 

That's a very low mileage for an 11 year old care, is that right?

A low milage engine like that should not need a new engine.

"I have a print out of many many issues which are all way over my head, but highlights include: misfiring cylinder, engine making a knocking sound, oil residue inside cylinders, heavy scoring, burning oil, failed big end/thrust washers on the crankshaft, oil level overfilled, battery failed voltage/load test, front bush delaminating, rear bush perished, rear axle beam corroded, replacement engine required."

The above does not make sense, they would need to strip the engine to come to those conclusions. Have they mixed you up, with a different customer?

diveunderthebonnet

Baldytyke88 said:

KPM2019 said:

I bought a 2nd hand (2014) Peugeot 208 in mid September 2024 from a local dealer. It had done 26500 miles and had a service history book. It came with tax, a brand new MOT and service when I collected it. I've only driven it 470 miles since then. 

That's a very low mileage for an 11 year old care, is that right?

A low milage engine like that should not need a new engine.

"I have a print out of many many issues which are all way over my head, but highlights include: misfiring cylinder, engine making a knocking sound, oil residue inside cylinders, heavy scoring, burning oil, failed big end/thrust washers on the crankshaft, oil level overfilled, battery failed voltage/load test, front bush delaminating, rear bush perished, rear axle beam corroded, replacement engine required."

The above does not make sense, they would need to strip the engine to come to those conclusions. Have they mixed you up, with a different customer?

The clock might have gone round once ,126500 might be the correct mileage.

KPM2019

Baldytyke88 said:

KPM2019 said:

I bought a 2nd hand (2014) Peugeot 208 in mid September 2024 from a local dealer. It had done 26500 miles and had a service history book. It came with tax, a brand new MOT and service when I collected it. I've only driven it 470 miles since then. 

That's a very low mileage for an 11 year old care, is that right?

A low milage engine like that should not need a new engine.

"I have a print out of many many issues which are all way over my head, but highlights include: misfiring cylinder, engine making a knocking sound, oil residue inside cylinders, heavy scoring, burning oil, failed big end/thrust washers on the crankshaft, oil level overfilled, battery failed voltage/load test, front bush delaminating, rear bush perished, rear axle beam corroded, replacement engine required."

The above does not make sense, they would need to strip the engine to come to those conclusions. Have they mixed you up, with a different customer?

Well they had it all day and the mechanic explained everything he had done and they've given me an 11 page report of their findings. The MOT certificate definitely states 26944 miles in September 2024. Looking at past certificates it had only done 2-2500 miles a year since 2018

fatbelly

With those characteristics I think you would have noticed. It would have been down on power, running rough and leaving a trail of blue smoke. All you said is 'a warning light came on' 

Why was the oil level overfilled? What does it look like when you check it?

Was it difficult to start with its failing battery?

Some of that other stuff should have been advisories on the last MOT.

I think you need a conversation with the dealer. You are still within the 6- month period

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/how-does-the-consumer-rights-act-protect-you-when-you-buy-a-car

fatbelly

Baldytyke88 said:

A low milage engine like that should not need a new engine.

The above does not make sense, they would need to strip the engine to come to those conclusions. Have they mixed you up, with a different customer?

Actually that does sound like an explanation

KPM2019

fatbelly said:

With those characteristics I think you would have noticed. It would have been down on power, running rough and leaving a trail of blue smoke. All you said is 'a warning light came on' 

Why was the oil level overfilled? What does it look like when you check it?

Was it difficult to start with its failing battery?

Some of that other stuff should have been advisories on the last MOT.

I think you need a conversation with the dealer. You are still within the 6- month period

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/how-does-the-consumer-rights-act-protect-you-when-you-buy-a-car

It went into limp mode when the warning light came on, not pleasant when on a busy dual carriageway.
No blue smoke that I saw. It was a little sluggish first thing in the morning on the way to the garage but aren't we all? 
No idea why the oil was overfilled. I haven't put any in, as I hadn't driven it enough to warrant it so soon after its service. I did check it last week so as not to look silly if they checked it at the dealers and yes, it was over the maximum mark on the dipstick.
Starts fine.

It passed its MOT every year except a fail in 2023 (insufficient washer liquid) 2018

Had these advisories:
in 2021 

• Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

2020

• Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
• Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• aux belt worn

2019

• Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

2018

• Offside Rear Suspension bump stop missing

paul_c123

Did the garage include the trouble codes - Pxxxx - in their report?

paul_c123

Anyway....with it being within 6 months, if the garage's report includes some issue that wouldn't have turned on the EML (for example, the knocking) then you have a right for them to replace/repair/refund and they have one chance to do so. You don't get to choose which one - but they might offer.