advice needed

LeoB

Hello, I have a car, 9 years old.
Recently the wiper motors failed. I brought it to the garage where we bought it as I do for all work on it and when I went back the service person told me the part is no longer available. I said you cant be serious the car is only 9 years old and is our family car. I phoned a number of garages and a quick check and they all said the same.

I was advised to get second hand ones after a discussion with the head office. The garage arranged that and fitted them. They went on blink after 2 days. We got a few jobs done on car and cost was about €500. But I have been told by garage I have no comeback as they were second hand, (said it on invoice), Iv no problem with that either but my pockets are not that deep that I can keep replacing them.

My big problem is though the fact that the car manufacturer stopped making them. My car a Citroen C4 is late 09 and generally in great running order lovely to drive and gets its regular service. While the car has a value of about €4/5,000 It is very valuable to my family. Its a life line for us.

I feel very let down and Citroen were not overly helpful until today but no resolution. I have given myself until 3pm tomorrow and explained I only want this resolved, not looking for gold just a car that is safe and will go through an N.C.T

Do any of you think there any comeback for me on this or any onus on manufacturer to supply parts? What if they decide to stop making other parts it renders our cars valueless. The implications for me and others are enormous if I cant get genuine citroen parts for a car so young. Today I was looking at dates of cars in traffic and the amount of cars from 00 to 05 amazed me. Is this sharp practice from Citroen?

Would appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance

cml387

It's unreasonable to expect manufacturers to keep a range of spare parts indefinitely.
For a car that age the best bet is a part from a breaker's. The real point is the fact that it failed again. Is there some other fault that is causing these to blow?

L1011

The car is worth 3-3.5k really.

That generation C4 is the last model of a platform going back to the ZX and it's likely the wiper motor is from then - it's even less likely that a 30 year old part is still made.
Also, Citroen do have a reputation for poor electrics - that model is probably one of the most reliable they made though. Had one for two years.

Expanding on the post above, I woukd bring it to a different mechanic and try have any underlying fault detected as a repeat failure that quickly is usually indicative of anothrt issue. With breaker parts it shouldn't cost anything close to the figure the last batch cost.

LeoB

cml387 wrote: »

It's unreasonable to expect manufacturers to keep a range of spare parts indefinitely.
For a car that age the best bet is a part from a breaker's. The real point is the fact that it failed again. Is there some other fault that is causing these to blow?

I dont think it is unreasonable at all considering the average age of cars on Irish roads is 9.5 years so have to say I was shocked there was no part available. I look after my car very well and dont want second hand parts in it.

L1011 wrote: »

The car is worth 3-3.5k really.

That generation C4 is the last model of a platform going back to the ZX and it's likely the wiper motor is from then - it's even less likely that a 30 year old part is still made.
Also, Citroen do have a reputation for poor electrics - that model is probably one of the most reliable they made though. Had one for two years.

Expanding on the post above, I woukd bring it to a different mechanic and try have any underlying fault detected as a repeat failure that quickly is usually indicative of anothrt issue. With breaker parts it shouldn't cost anything close to the figure the last batch cost.

I had a few jobs done , Oil change, air filter so not €500 for just wiper motors, I think including labour they were just under €300

The car is worth a fortune to me, if you get my drift.

Have heard the electrics are not great with Citroen but It is the first problem we have had with this car bar one or two small things which go with motoring.

I will only have this sorted by a main Citroen dealer noe. The garage I use are good and were a main Citroen dealer si I have no issues with them. You both could be right and possibly there is an underlying problem.

L1011

Main dealers are often* not the best place to go for actual good diagnostic - independent specialists (there definitely are Citroen specialists) or official repair/warranty centres (that don't sell cars - there may not be these) can be better and are almost always cheaper. With my current car I use an authorised repair/warranty place and have seen the nearby main dealer bringing cars to him on a flatbed when they ran out of ideas - the poor customer getting charged the dealer price for his cheaper work!


*I would say never, except there are exceptions. But usually main dealer service centres are not known for their quality.

Tigger

Ring Top part and pr Reillys in the morning, have your reg to hand
The motors should be available

LeoB

L1011 wrote: »

Main dealers are often* not the best place to go for actual good diagnostic - independent specialists (there definitely are Citroen specialists) or official repair/warranty centres (that don't sell cars - there may not be these) can be better and are almost always cheaper. With my current car I use an authorised repair/warranty place and have seen the nearby main dealer bringing cars to him on a flatbed when they ran out of ideas - the poor customer getting charged the dealer price for his cheaper work!


*I would say never, except there are exceptions. But usually main dealer service centres are not known for their quality.

Thanks for advice. Appreciate your input.

Tigger wrote: »

Ring Top part and pr Reillys in the morning, have your reg to hand
The motors should be available

Will do. Thanks for your help

dr.fuzzenstein

cml387 wrote: »

It's unreasonable to expect manufacturers to keep a range of spare parts indefinitely.
For a car that age the best bet is a part from a breaker's. The real point is the fact that it failed again. Is there some other fault that is causing these to blow?

It is sad to think that a 9 year old car is seen as "past it" nowadays.
I usually will only drive cars that are 10+ years. My current car is 13 years old, but it's well maintained, I would be very surpruised if I was told "sorry, no parts for that old banger!"

Anyway OP, as a general rule of thumb, if your car is over 5-6 years old, NEVER go to the dealer. They want to sell new cars, collect a few thousand for oilchanges ("full service") from you and then kindly buy a new one or fcuk off.
Driving to the dealer with a 9 year old "banger" will result in either being told "sorry mate, no parts for that old jalopy" or being quoted a PFO price.
They do not want your business because sometimes a 9 year old car may cause them work.
They want a 3-4 year old car where they open bonnet, throw in a few filters and oil, 20 minutes, job done, next.

So, go indy, or DIY.

davo10

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that in EU, manufacturers of machines with complex parts are required to make spare parts available for 7 years after production of that machine ceases.

I'd be very surprised though if the average age of cars in Ireland is 9 years, I don't see a lot of pre-09 cars on the road.

Actually this seems to contain more info:

http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/10705/attachments/1/translations/en/renditions/native

LeoB

davo10 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that in EU, manufacturers of machines with complex parts are required to make spare parts available for 7 years after production of that machine ceases.

I'd be very surprised though if the average age of cars in Ireland is 9 years, I don't see a lot of pre-09 cars on the road.

Actually this seems to contain more info:

http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/10705/attachments/1/translations/en/renditions/native

I was a bit surprised myself at that myself. But today I checked at a large sporting event and while there were a good few 16 to 18 cars my 09 was pretty average and the line of cars mine was in there were three 05 cars, two 06 and a few 10/11 reg cars.

endacl

LeoB wrote: »

Citroen

I think I may have pinpointed your issue!

beauf

davo10 wrote: »

...I'd be very surprised though if the average age of cars in Ireland is 9 years, I don't see a lot of pre-09 cars on the road....

I expect your not looking for them. I see loads.