Citroen C4 Berlin III Timing Chain Broke.

[ChiefJudgeDredd]

21 June 2024 my Citroen C4 with 33,000km on the odometer started, I drove 50 metres and the car stopped and wouldn’t start again.
Called the local Citroen dealer who came with his tow truck marked Citroen Assistance and he eventually managed to unlock the handbrake, automatic, and get it on the truck. He then told us it would be 3 MONTHS before they could look at it. We then read Citroen has a problem with timing chains and has had to replace some engines too. 23 September now and today we found out it was the chain and the cylinder head will be replaced but the engine is “ok” ! But we won’t get the car till middle of OCTOBER.

Customer service for the guarantee is abysmal and it was nearly 3 months before we got someone on Citroen Assistance that actual found our car had an extended guarantee ! The garage had tried to argue it was NOT under guarantee when at the time they told us we were 1 month inside the guarantee. In September, after the French Garage had returned from their Vacance they continued to try telling us it wasn’t guaranteed until we got the nice Citroen Assistance lady to tell them it had an extended 5 year warranty. Then they changed their tune. At no time were we offered a replacement car until ours was repaired. 4 MONTHS. On Trustpilot.fr nearly ALL of the car manufacturers in France have 1 Star.

[GiveMeABreak]

Very sorry to hear that.

I know the warranty periods are slightly less in France as far as I am aware, unless you have an extended warranty. The dealerships vary in quality, service and even competence sadly. Even contacting Citroen Head Office will often result in them referring you to the dealership first of all. But stand your ground as you did. If you don't get a satisfactory outcome, go back to Head Office as sometimes the dealerships won't always have the warranty details (the extended warranties tend to be handled by the company that Citroen uses for warranty claims).

The courtesy car issue is a problem, as this is a dealership issue with the loan vehicles being kept for shorter servicing and repairs, and often, not for longer term repairs - but I would still argue with Citroen Head Office that you have been inconvenienced and that they should provide a vehicle for the length of the period of the repair at the very least - whether this is from the dealership or elsewhere.... no guarantees, but I would keep insisting.