Hello all. I can’t believe that I’m asking for more advice, but here I am. I recently bought a 2nd hand car (2019 Peugeot Partner) from a garage - 2/3 weeks ago to be precise. After 600km it has developed an ‘engine emissions fault’, now the screen also says it’s an ADBlue issue (many diesels need the ADBlue system for EU air quality rules etc). I knew something about ADBlue when i was buying the car, and asked the garage if the previous owner had any problems with it. I was told that there was a slight issue and all rectified now. When i went to collect the car they did a full service - fluids filters and i also noticed on the list a new ADBlue reservoir which apparent cost almost €800 plus €150 fitting or something (complementary with the free service). The receipt also noted that the new reservoir was refilled with ADBlue and an extra additive that stops cristalisation (which apparently is an issue with ADBlue systems). When i got the keys I asked them when i’d next need to add some ADBlue and the garage said probably the next service, the onboard computer said until Sunday that more ADBlue was required after more than 2400km which i think is that maximum kms it will display for this system.
When the error appeared on my screen it also said that the car will not start again in 1100 km. and it’s counting down. I’m at 1000kms to go at the moment. I immediately contacted the garage (2 hrs away) and they suggested topping up the ADBlue. I pointed out that that had just been done 600km ago, so it cannot be the issue, and if it was then there is a fault or leak. I said i would take it to a local Peugeot garage. The garage who sold me the car, said that I had to return the vehicle to them under the warranty terms. I distinctly remember that the advert for the car (now unfortunately not online) stated that the 6 month warranty was valid throught France at ANY Peugeot dealership. I pointed this out to the garage (all by email) and he said that he’d explained to me during the final handover that the warranty was changed by them to only be covered by their garage. I must have missed him say that, my French isn’t brilliant TBH. He certainly didn’t tell me in a way that made sure I understood.
This is what he said (translated)
“Regarding the warranty, as explained during our interview on the day of the presentation of the vehicle, there are two types of guarantees, the guarantee which is valid at peugeot but which is a guarantee that is subscribed by an insurance company and does not cover everything, or our guarantee that takes care of the entire vehicle. We have subscribed to ours, so it will be with us.”
I’m really not happy with all this, and on top of that having to drive 2 hrs to take the car back when he eventually finds me a courtesy car.
Since Sunday I have done one hell of a lot of reading about ADBlue systems and all the nightmare scenarios people are having. The Adblue system can cost €1000 to €2000 to replace and that can happen several times a year.
Anyway I am looking for advice about getting a refund. It’s not even 30 days since i bought it, what are my rights, and if i let them take the car for repairs, what are my rights after 30 days ?
thankyou. I agree it could be vice cache too. but they could argue that they explained things to me but there was a language barrier. I recall him being not flustered at all about the ADBlue issues
You could contact the local office for the Mediator de la République or even the Répression des Fraudes office where you can go in person for a free visit. Both of them could possibly help in the event of the guarantee for six months for a second hand car not being honoured.
great to know thanks. I really regret not looking deeper into the ADBlue thing. There is so much to research buying a car here. It’s two days and waiting for a responce fo the courtesy car. I’ll see if those help offices are local to me
The system has been around for along time, the VW Tiguan I bought in 2013 didn’t have it but the one I bought in early 2017 did. I think some manufactures did have some issues (maybe it was crystallisation?) and maybe systems do need to be replaced due to age or high milage but certainly not several times a year. It’s a very simple system, it’s only a tank that squirts AdBlue into the exhaust pipe to reduce emissions. The car won’t start message is just to force people to top up the tank.
The fact that they have already replaced the system is good news.
Have you topped up it up? You should try that first.
And of course, there is nothing to stop you taking the car to your local Peugeot garage and asking their opinion.
I too have a Partner and once, a few years ago it came to a halt without warning. Totally mystified I sat there thinking for a while and then tried to re-start it. It started fine and was ok but I took it steady knowing that I would be passing my Peugeot garage later in the day. The man said it needed topping up (possibly ad-blue, I don’t remember) and that it wasn’t serious and to make an appointment to do so. This was done a week or so later and that was several years ago and have had nothing wrong since. As I was doing at the time around 85,000 kms a year perhaps you too have nothing to worry about.
The legalities of claiming for a dud I can’t help you with but I see you have already had good advice.
The AdBlue is just a strong urea solution which is injected into the exhaust to convert nitrous oxides into nitrogen. Consumption is typically 1l per 300-600 miles of driving so most people will need to top up a couple of times per year. It does depend on the size of the tank but at least 10l seems common. Google tells me that the Partner’s tank is 17l
Of course it depends how much was actually in the tank when you bought the van - if it was 17l clearly you should not need to be topping up already (unless you have covered at least 6000 miles). So either the system is chucking too much of it into the exhaust, there is a leak, or “refilled” was not quite what it seemed to be.
Well if it was AdBlue which was topped up in mine (the mecano had to jack up the car and do it underneath and mumbled about emissions) then I have been very lucky as I have done over 200,000 kms with that one top up in the middle of it.
Hi John, I think you’ve miss read or miss understood. When i bought the car, 3 weeks ago, I was surprised that they replaced the ADBlue reservoir for free with their complementary service. At the same time the invoice notes that the ADBlue was refilled (well, it would be with a new tank) and they added the special additive to stop crystallisastion. It is now under 3 weeks later and only 600km on the clock and I have the dreaded 950km to go before it wont start again (it was at 1100 on sunday). When i left the garage with the car I asked when the ADBlue might need topping up and he said most likely next service, a long time off. I’m reticent to put more ADBlue in incase they turn around and said I did it wrong, or over filled etc. It’s extremely annoying that I cannot take it in locally - at my cost, and have to drive 2 hrs to their garage and force them to give me a courtesy car. I’m trying to find out what my legal status is incase i need to ask for a refund and also how easy that would be to do. I like to be prepared for all scenarios - I have read of some horror stories concerning ADBlue and them having constant problems within a year. Of course, these are the worst case scenarios, but as i said, i like to be prepared.
this has 40000 on the clock and apparently had a new adblue reservoir put in when i bought it, 3 weeks and 600kms ago. If i add more adblue, it could overfill the reservoir if that is not infact the issue
I might also add that the adblue symbol is flashing and emits a tone for the first few seconds of start up. Online it says that flashing symbol as opposed to static and orange means there’s a serious issue. when other people’s cars have had adblue problems and it was only a top up necessary, did their adblue or engine management symbol flash, go red or orange static? thanks
i get ya. mine’s there too. it would be rediculous to top up from below, saying that, it’s rediculous that the ECU can immobilse the car with such a short vehicle range. garages in my area are over worked as it is. i have a back up ancient VW T4, which decided to spring a coolant leak this week too. 15 days i have to wait for the local mechanic
Or has a faulty sensor for the AdBlue level, of course.
Or Faulty NOX sensor which might explain the over use.
Or …
Looking around the 'net problems with the AdBlue system seem to abound. You *might* be able to find a friendly garage to reset the countdown but as the problem is from purchase your best bet (despite the inconvenience) is to get it back to the garage that you purchased it - they do seem to be saying the warranty will cover it and the responsibility rests with them.
Don’t worry, you can’t “do it wrong”. It’s the same as filling up your windscreen washer fluid. Though don’t spill it on the paintwork if you can avoid it, if you do, no problem just wash it off with water. Many petrol stations have AdBlue pumps now too, just stick in the filler and it’ll take care of it.
yes. I feel a little cheated really because the ad said the 6 month warranty was covered by any Peugeot garage in France, when i pointed that out he said that his business changed that because the Peugeot warranty wassn’t as comprehensive as theirs, and that he told me on the day of purchase. My French is getting better, but i sometimes miss things when a lot of information is fired at me verbally. He knows my French isn’t amazing but never reiterated and made sure i understood that the warranty specifics had now changed. I’m sure he’s only done this to save them money, but i paid €25k for the vehicle 3 weeks ago. you expect better aftercare with an almost new car
