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Ironwerni

Hi,
below a copy of my enquiry sent to Peugeot New Zealand and their subsequent response. I would appreciate your opinion in regards to
a) Peugeot's view that they would consider these problems being normal for any vehicle, given its age and mileage
b) If I have potentially any avenues available to try to achieve a different outcome.

My enquiry with Peugeot NZ follows:
We bought the Peugeot 308 from Allpike Peugeot, WA beginning of March 2008. In January 2015 we shipped it to New Zealand together with our other relocation goods. Since we owned it, we had all Inspections/Services done by Allpike Peugeot while in WA, by Armstrong Motor Group in Auckland and GB European in Rotorua.
Admittedly, it is a 11 year old car, however four issues have come up lately, which we think should not happen with a car which has done less the 10'000 km/year:
1) During the last WOF on the 23rd of August, it failed due to 'Play in the left/rear Wheel Bearing' and had to be replaced. This has cost a total of NZ$654.03.
2) In July 17, we noticed that the heating was no longer working and we had it inspected by GB European. They checked all hoses and connections, mixer flap and actuator and found no fault. They suspected that there's a restriction in the heater core not allowing sufficient heat transfer to ventilation system. They advised to replace the heater core at a cost of NZ$2109.10 ! We have not had this work done yet due to the high cost.
3) During 2017 the car started using Oil and we had to top up on a regular basis. GB European diagnosed a leaking rocker cover gasket and replaced it together with the oil filter. Cost 447.49.
4) In May last year the the 'Depollution Fault' appeared. GB European checked and found Fault P1340 misfire on cylinder 4. They cleared the fault and swapped coil 1 & 4 after which the fault did not immediately reoccur. However in August the car ran rough and the engine light was on. GB European scanned the vehicle and found multiple codes. They found 2 coils not operating and the spark plugs severely worn, which they then replaced. The cost was NZ$594.90.
So all in all, within a span of two years, had we given the go ahead to replace the Heater Core, it would have cost us NZ$3,808.52.
The main driver to buy a European car was always 'Quality', but this car unfortunately let us down and in addition cost us a lot of time and inconvenience. Given this, we request that Peugeot NZ looks into this and provides us with an explanation in regards to the above issues and (hopefully) offers some sort of 'goodwill'.

Response from Peugeot NZ:
Unfortunately, Peugeot Automobiles cannot support Goodwill on a vehicle of this age. Peugeot Automobiles have an excellent Goodwill policy, which is a sliding scale from when the warranty expires (3 years) through until eight years. The other problem, is Goodwill is only available in the country of origin, in this case Australia.
The problems you raise in your email, are what I would consider being normal for any vehicle, given its age and mileage. I have over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, so my feedback is genuine.
I do appreciate your feedback. What we can do as the Importer of Peugeot vehicles, is provide an extra discount on the parts needed to complete the repair on the heater core. My advice would also be to book the vehicle into Duncan and Ebbett in Hamilton. They have much more experience with the brand and should be able to complete the repair for under $1000.

Anon

Hi there,
The Peugeot agent is correct, this is all classed as common and acceptable items that could require attention in any vehicle European or other of this age. We would advise anyone that after 10 years a vehicle has reached most of its intended trouble free life cycle, and it would be expected to be spending extra money in maintenance.

Ironwerni

Hi,
Thanks very much for your response. My main rational was, that the car only has done 109,000 km, i.e. less than 10,000/year, always has been serviced as required by the manufacturer, etc.
Anyway, it is what it is. Thanks again for your expert opinion.

rktech

I have just bought a 2012 peugeot 308. When driving the transmission has a slight thud when changing gear. Does it need a fluid top up?

olivcreigh

Hi there,
I've recently bought a Peugeot 308 2012 and have been experiencing issues with shuddering when starting the vehicle.
I took it to Armstrong's Lower Hutt where they replaced the rocker cover and an intake pipe, but I was still experiencing the same issues so took it back and they replaced the turbo-electric cooling pump. After replacing that, it is still having the same issues with starting and the engine light has come back on.
Granted the car is 10 years old, it has only done 60,000km which seems very low to be having this amount of issues.
Are the issues attributed to only the age of the car no matter how many kms it has done?
Thanks