Citroën UK Ltd.----What every buyer should know.

[scaniaman]

In responce to my letter to xxxxxxxx, MD Citroen uk, I had a phone call yesterday from one of her Regional Support Managers called xxxxxxxxxx.

Basically, this was to be their final attempt to tell me to Fo Oway (sorry about spelling)

After what transpired to be a very heated conversation, IMO the following facts need to be brought to the attention of people contemplating buying a new Citroën.

Firstly, they will not recognise any faults with a car unless such fault is diagnosed by one of their dealers computer. No further investigation shall take place.

No factory engineer will attend at the dealers unless faults can be detected by the dealers. On diesel cars, the dealers do not have the required equipment to fully test the engines, nor i suspect have the staff qualified to the degree to operate such equipment. Their computer diagnostic checks are incapable of indepth enquiry to engine faults and Citroen will not sanction action from an independant diesel specialist.

Citroen give poor back up to dealers as they (the dealers) DO NOT HAVE A PHONE NUMBER to call for technical assistance. All contact by dealers to Citroen has to be by email!!!!!!????

A friend checked out the T&Cs of their warranty and advises me that several components which make up the front axle are not covered by warranty.

Mr.xxxxxxxxxx informed me that he was not a fully qualified technician, and customers were not allowed access to technical staff to discuss problems.!!!!!!!!

The impression given by him was that Citroen UK don't care a fig about EVEN THEIR MOST LOYAL customers, they are completely intransigent and uncooperative.

Citroen, like several other manufacturers, are selling diesel cars fitted with a DPF / FAP system without warning buyers that these engines are not really suited to constant short haul work. School runs, shopping and the like. Heavy repair bills can result from usage of this nature.

On reflection, listening to Mr. xxxxxxxxxxx was akin to listening to a recorded message being played over and over.

My experience has demonstrated most clearly, that anyone contemplating buying a Citroen, especially from one of their unscrupulous dealers, needs to think long and hard before parting with hard earned cash.

Looking at the whole Citroën picture, we have sales managers who have no technical experience, likewise general managers, both by their own admission. and now a regional manager in a similar position. Surely this begs the question "Who in Citroen knows a damn thing about their product which is supposed to be amongst the most technically advanced on the market."

None of these people inspire any confidence in this manufacturer.

The cars maybe not bad--just the people involved with them.

Edited March 24, 2011 by scaniaman

[ST24Mondeo]

The problem with DPFs is not just with citroens.Vauxhall are the same what Vauxhall do not tell you when buying a car is that most of their diesel engines are not suitable for short journeys starting and stopping ie running to the shop taking the kids to school etc.When you buy a 7seater car a Zafira you buy it becuase you have kids to take to school etc.Vauxhall engines are made from butter they are useless.I have dealt with my dealership customer service customer complaints Gmac who Vauxhall use for their finance they are all no help at all when something goes wrong with your car.I for one will never buy another Vauxhall.

Edited March 25, 2011 by ST24Mondeo
spelling

[scaniaman]

My point exactly ST. They are all at it. Their mindset is that diesel buyers are solely high milage motorway type drivers. Maybe so for the majority of new cars, but what would the trade do if they couldn't sell used diesels because most people would require them for general family motoring.??? What about Taxis? what about those people who live in the sticks with no high speed roads for miles??

Now this is where it becomes political--manufacturers are big enough and powerful enough to tell the EU where to shove it's ever toughning regs. Compliance with these regs have completely destroyed the basic concept of the diesel engine, ie reliability and OVERALL economy.

What needs doing is for many of us to write our MP's and highlight this problem, asking them to have it fully investigated by perhaps the Dept. of Trade. Then veto the damned Regs.until technology can produce a better solution to emmissions.

Why do people buy 2nd ,3rd and 4th hand used cars?----because they can't afford to buy a new car every three years or so. By the same token, these same people can't cope with huge unexpected repair bills just to overcome inherent design faults.

It's in Bankrupt Britains best interest to have as much of the national fleet diesel powered as possible. There is no incentive now to buy a modern diesel car that is fitted with these ridiculous Fap Dpf systems.

PS. Do you know that since Citroen fitted the FAP system, it INCREASED fuel consumption by approx. 4%--just to get rid of a wee bit of soot! Completely counter productive methinks.

[scaniaman]

Also check out availability of spare parts, especially those with electrical functions??????!!!!!!!!