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Hi There,
Have a 2013 Citroen DS5, purchased 29 Nov 2016 with approx 43 k's on the clock. I negotiated a 3yr mechanical Autosure warranty as part of the purchase. Love it to bits, it's like driving the space shuttle!
On 31 July, exactly 8 months later, the car went into limp mode and I managed to get it to my local mechanic (no issues with them). After much to'ing and fro'ing it seems the car requires a new timing chain (knock 1) and, in all likelihood, a new piston (knock 2). The approximate quote is 11.5k ... quite an arresting amount of money!
Autosure initially inspected the car and asked mechanic to quote to 'fix the knock', it was the opinion of the mechanic that fixing the timing was one thing, but they are pretty confident that there is another problem with a piston. Autosure, after another inspection decided that the engine is 'one problem', hence only one claim of up to 5k.
Questions;
- should I write to Autosure to get them to reconsider that there are obviously two distinct problems, and should be considered as two claims?
- or, do I go back to the dealer and ask him to either contribute the balance (say 6.5k), or get it fixed by his team (he is the Citroen importer after all), under CGA ... ie car just out of manufacturers warranty when purchased, and a car with 43k's on the clock should not be expected to have these issues (I would be on thin ground if it were 80-100ks for sure ... but 43k's is insignificant to a modern car ... or should be!).
Your advice much appreciated.
Cheers, Mark
Hi There,
I would be considering your rights under the CGA, it states that the vehicle must be fit for purpose and durable. There is not really a time limit but it would depend on scenarios like age, mileage, time since purchase vs price paid.
In this case it could be said that 8 months is not long enough to have owned a vehicle to have this problem occur. So give the selling dealer a call and give them first right of remedy, the repair costs might put it in the serious fault category and refund may be discussed as a remedy. https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/get-guidance/cars-and-motoring/solving-issues-with-your-car-dealer/