Repair/replace advice

[sjballo]

Hi all,

I don't know too much about cars so I was looking for some advice on whether to repair/replace my current car.

I currently drive a 2017 Citroen C4 Cactus (59,000 miles) which I bought three years ago from a registered Citroen dealership. The engine warning light has started displaying intermittently along with a message stating "engine fault - have engine repaired". I've had a diagnostic check carried out by an independent garage who didn't find anything but suggested that this could be related to degradation of the timing/wet belt which may be impacting the sump and engine.

I've since phoned Citroen who informed me that my car has a previous recall for this issue and I should have received a letter from the dealership (who permanently shutdown a couple of weeks after my purchase...I wasn't aware of this at the time). My car is now out with the warranty period given it's age so I think I would be expected to pay for this myself.

I'm in a bit of a dilemma on whether to have this car fixed or just replace it with something newer/more reliable. The garage said a new belt would likely be in the region of £1500 but could potentially be more depending on whether there is additional damage caused by degraded rubber fragments. This coupled with an ongoing issue where the gearstick doesn't engage properly on occasion when switching from neutral into first (gearstick has slipped out bracket twice and gone limp whilst driving) makes me think it's time to get rid of it. Has anyone any experience of similar issues with this car/wet belt and whether it's worth repairing?

I've been looking at a Kia Niro hybrid, Kia Proceed 1.4 gt-line and a ford focus 1.0 Ecoboost Hybrid Estate as potential replacements. I really just need a reliable family car with enough space to carry work equipment. I probably do about 12,000 miles/year with around 8,000 of them for work.

I'm pretty clueless when it comes to cars so just looking for some advice as I feel pretty overwhelmed with choices etc at the minute .

Many thanks

 

[pepp77]

Recalls should be covered regardless of age, my 9 year old BMW just had an airbag replacement on a recall.

 

[JonRGV250]

As above.
Call Citroen and get it booked in, then go from there.
You can check what recall it’s due..

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/?_ga=2.230675868.129203931.1708680487-286906513.1708680487

Just scroll down to “check for vehicle recalls”.

 

[ajgoodfellow]

I agree. I had an airbag replacement on a recall on my 2007 Lexus. The dealer who completed the work was local to me, and not the supplying dealer. I simply called then with the registration number and they booked it in and completed the work.

 

[radderfire]

Yes, get it fixed, the recall work won't be charged and the gear stick issue doesn't sound that difficult to fix (see what quote is).

In general, 59,000 is not a big mileage so worth fixing the car. You should have a reasonable car by the end of it. Cars have gone up a lot in price over the last few years, so fixing will be more economical.

 

[Lopéz]

Get your recall work done first - this should be FOC and warranty expiration should have no impact on that.

The car is only 7 years old, with low mileage, it should absolutely be repaired.

 

[bobuk]

Recalls should be covered regardless of age, my 9 year old BMW just had an airbag replacement on a recall.

Agree my old Honda had its passenger side airbag replaced at 14 years old.

 

[sjballo]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've contacted Citroen who have said the car was already recalled before I purchased it. Not sure what the problem is now but they're going to have a look at it anyway.

Thanks again!