They swarm on online sales sites, but if you buy one, expect to spend more time from the mechanic than on the road.
Buying a used car can quickly become a puzzle, especially when you don’t know much about mechanics. With the multitude of online ads, all the models of existing vehicles, price deviations and often very technical jargon, difficult to know if you have a good deal … or if you are about to throw your money through the windows by acquiring a wreck. On the internet for example, any car may seem in good condition at first glance, but hiding very expensive repairs. This is precisely the case of certain models which, lately, accumulating mechanical problems, without future buyers being always warned.
Indeed, according to the UFC-Que Choisir, some models increasingly offered to resale on occasion are clearly to be avoided. “The risk of encountering mechanical problems is too big to get a good deal”declare our colleagues in an article on the subject. These are the cars of the Stellantis group (ex-Group PSA) which are equipped with a Puretech engine. At the time, in 2012, during the launch of the 1.2 PureTech engine, which equips many Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel models, its performance and its efficiency are widely hailed.
Except that since 2020, recurring problems have been reported: premature wear of the distribution belt, overconsumption of oil, engine breaches, and more recently, a risk of fire in the engine compartment. These failures have led to more expensive repairs for the owners, some evoking invoices around 7,000 euros. The Stellantis group has also launched two recall campaigns with motorists who have the vehicles concerned.
UFC Que Choisir has drawn up the full list of vehicles that are potentially affected by the mechanical problems reported in recent years. At Citroën, this includes C1 (2014-2022), C3 (2012-2024), C3 Picasso and C3 Aircross (2015-2017), C-Elysée (2016-2019), C4 (2015-2018 and 2020-2024), C4 Cactus (2014-2020), C4 Picasso and C4 Spacetourer (2016-2022) Berlingo (2016-2024), as well as the C5 Aircross SUVs (2018-2024) and C5 X (2021-2025). The DS brand is not spared with the DS 3 (2012-2024), DS 3 Crossback (2019-2024), DS 4 (2014-2018 and 2021-2024) and DS 7 CROSSBACK (2018-2022). On the Peugeot side, the 108, 208, 308, 508, 2008, 3008, 5008, Partner and Rifter are all concerned on the models produced between 2012 and 2024 depending on the versions. Opel is also affected, with the Corsa, Astra, Crossland, Grandland and Mokka made between 2017 and 2025. Just like Toyota, via its partnership with the group, for its PROACE City utility (2019-2025).
So certainly, even if some owners have carried out reinforcement work before putting their car on sale, this does not mean that there is no longer any risk. “The Puretech engine may have suffered invisible damage to the naked eye with in particular weakened segmentation. Therefore, if the new belt can hold on, it is the engine itself which is likely to flank after a few thousand kilometers”, underlines the consumer association. This is why it is better to favor safer models or ask for the advice of a person who knows about it to buy knowingly.
