C4 Automatic

[citroenfan]

Hello. I've just bought a Citroen VTR+ automatic and i'm due to collect it in the weekend (can't wait). It's a 2011 vehicle 1.6 petrol, mileage 16k and a decent amount of options (sensors, bluetooth, cruise control etc) and the gearbox is a full  automatic and not EGS which seems to have been a problem on most pre 2011 models. The dealer is trying to sell me a warranty which costs £750 for 36 months, It sounds like a good deal but i'm wondering if I will ever need it? The car looks and felt immaculate, the only thing i worry about is the auto box in case it breaks. I don't know anything about gearboxes except that they cost a fortune to replace. Is the C4 one quite reliable? were there any other reported issues with the C4 (2011 onwards?). Anything else I should check or be aware of before I pick the car up? Thank you

[paul.h]

Check the front edge of the bonnet at the V in the middle (and elsewhere on it, also open it to check). The paint can bubble and it is a common problem (an internet search will bring up many cases). It is supposed to be caused by a fault in manufacture and Citroen's response is to replace the bonnet with a new one and paint it to the car colour. Our 2011 C4 has just developed a bubble about 1 cm long and we are waiting for our dealer to confirm if Citroen will repair it at no cost to us (it is outside the 3 year paint and defect warranties that could apply) - the cost is about £900.

 

Other problems on our 2011 C4 1.6 hdi 110 bhp VTR+ - the radio/clock would reset quite often when starting the engine but this was fixed by a software update at the dealer, the engine fusebox retaining clip broke needing a new lid so it was not loose, a rattle from the engine compartment which needs a tie wrap to tighten the engine air intake pipe at the front and is replaced at each service.

 

If it is a Citroen dealer you should be getting a 1 year warranty as standard on a Citroen used/approved car, so the 3 year one is really only 2 extra years. When getting our last C3 we looked at Evans Halshaw Citroen, the used cars seemed a low price but only came with a 3 month warranty - once the cost of a 1 year one was added plus a few other things, the car was expensive compared to ones at other Citroen dealers - so despite liking the car, we went elswhere and got a better deal.

 

One problem with warranties, you have to get the car serviced at a VAT registered garage and following the car manufacturers schedule (not a problem if you do this anyway)  - you may even need to get it serviced now. If it is a breakdown warranty and there is a fault, you have to pay for any checks to prove it is a break down and not gradual wear. They may not always pay for new Citroen parts but could be aftermarket ones or reconditioned ones. You should read all the small print before deciding on whether it is a good warranty. If you do your own servicing, you need to look at the labour costs you save, plus the £750 and consider if this would cover any likely faults.

 

Years ago I had such a breakdown warranty on a Saab 9-5 (it just came with it from the dealer). The steering rack seals failed losing all the oil, the warranty company would only pay for a reconditioned rack so I paid the extra to have a new Saab one and also new track rod ends. Also at this time the exhaust was smoking a bit indicating the turbo was on its way out which the dealer agreed with but the warranty company would not pay since it had yet to break down - I could pay to have it stripped down and inspected but would then be stuck having to pay for any repairs if the warranty company would not pay. So I left it but a few months after the warranty ran out, the turbo did fail needing a new one and an exhaust catalyst.

[citroenfan]

Thank you so much for all the advice, that's really helpful.