Citroen parts from a dealer

[Richard_C]

I have read in another forum of a member who went to buy parts from a Citroen main dealer only to be told that they don't sell parts to the public any more - only to trade or of course they will fit it in their workshop. I noticed on the Citroen UK website that they list dealers and service agents for new cars, used cars and service - they don't have a 'parts' symbol any more but I'm sure they used to.

Does anyone have experience - is this a new Citroen policy that we need to worry about or is is a one-off?

[myglaren]

Yes, both my local Citroen dealers have eliminated the"Parts" link from their websites.

[Paul-R]

I have read in another forum of a member who went to buy parts from a Citroen main dealer only to be told that they don't sell parts to the public any more - only to trade or of course they will fit it in their workshop.

Are you sure it wasn't here and it was my post?

My local Peugeot/Citroen dealer told me they no longer sells parts and that I have to go over to somewhere in Liverpool (I think) if I want to buy parts now.

[mickthemaverick]

I had the same experience when I went to the dealer in Hatfield for a new aerial. I was told I would have to go to Renault West London on the A40 so I went to ebay instead!!

[GiveMeABreak]

They are still directing the public to dealers for parts:

Here:
https://citroen-uk-en.custhelp.com/app/ ... /related/1

and here:
https://www.citroen.co.uk/owner-service ... rts#sticky

[Richard_C]

Are you sure it wasn't here and it was my post?

My local Peugeot/Citroen dealer told me they no longer sells parts and that I have to go over to somewhere in Liverpool (I think) if I want to buy parts now.

No, completely different and far far away. A coincidence.

The links above are to pages dated April 19, couldn't find any parts dealers listed from the website homepage but its a nightmare to navigate. I might try my local dealer for something inexpensive like some trim screws and see what response I get.

Looks like its common practice now, and a little worrying.

[Stickyfinger]

Why should they care about you....just take the car to be fixed at the dealer because they know Citroen's the best, they have been tested and everything !

[white exec]

Independent repairers (and the parts collecting agents who supply them) will continue to draw OE parts from PSA parts counters, as will the dealers' own workshops, so my guess is that many parts counters will continue to operate.

I can understand a drive to fewer parts stores (with maybe Peu, CIt, DS, Opel, Vaux, et al) all being serviced from these, maybe on a regional basis, serving a good few Group workshops. A long trend towards minimising locally-held on-shelf stock, and moving towards just-in-time delivery from central warehouse or factory. We have a lot of this in place already.

Maybe our "Independent Repairer" status for Parts/ServiceBox might count for something, or might come under some scrutiny.

[Stickyfinger]

They only need to produce spares for 5 years after the end of production of "your Mk" of whatever it is.

Remember also the Citroen Heritage is very unlikely to produce anything much for cars after the XM (at the latest).

[Michel]

Sod them then. Most stuff can be had at OEM quality elsewhere (GSF, ECP) etc. If they don't want my money...

[white exec]

I make a point of maintaining use of my Citroen dealer, and have a good relationship with them: service and parts. Many parts are only available from them, and can sometimes involve their trawling dealer stock here and elsewhere. I think they'd be less willing to do that if I didn't provide some sensible custom.

Quality can be an issue sometimes, and I do opt for genuine Cit suspension spheres when I need them, and when mine are no longer regassable. Prices can be very competitive, especially on aftermarket items - eg coolant and brake pads - where they will pitch in a discount to get the sale.

Also occasionally use the service department for critical jobs, or ones I no longer want to do myself. Last one was replacement of the three belts on the 2.5, a rotten job with difficult access. A very competitive "fixed price" item, even on this 23 year old car.

When it comes to dealer spares, I think there's an element of "If you don't use it, you could lose it", but that's not the whole story.

[Gibbo2286]

My local dealer still has a parts counter with a highly skilled Citroen parts man who has been at it for at least 35 years, I can go to him and he'll sort anything that's still listed and phone me when it in if it has to be ordered in.

They have recently taken on a Suzuki dealership so he's having to sort parts for that too, tells me it's a better, easier system than the PSA set up

https://www.bing.com/search?q=motor+ho ... &plvar=0

[Peter.N.]

I couldn't afford genuine Citroen parts anyway, all of mine come from either Ebay or the scrap yard.

Peter