The reputation of these engines begins to be known. As a result, the owners of these vehicles find it difficult to resell them … or must agree to seriously cut on the price.
They have long been the bestsellers of the French automotive market. But today, the owners of Peugeot 208, 308 or 2008, Citroën C3 and C4, DS3, or Opel Corsa and Astra from the years 2014 to 2020 equipped with the 1.2 Puretech engine are becoming disillusioned. The reputation of lack of reliability of this three -cylinder petrol block, available in 110 and 130 hp, begins to severely plug their resale value on occasion.
In question: the design defects of this 3 -cylinder turbo engine declined in 110 and 130 hp, in particular its distribution belt which wears out prematurely in contact with engine oil, which can lead to engine breakage. Despite the reminders of Stellantis, the guarantee extension promised, the new maintenance plan adopted in concessions or the online compensation platform set up, confidence is struggling to return.
Exchangeed, most resale professionals now refuse to take over these models, except to sell them off. “We do not take up any PureTech, unless it is still guaranteed,” confirms Yoni Dayan de SimplicaR, interviewed by the Challenges Magazine As part of a large investigation. “Otherwise the risk is too high, insurance would be too expensive”. A position adopted by other resellers according to the magazine. “Many independents refuse to take over the Puretech, or at an extremely low rate which allows them to provision an engine replacement”, confirms Michaël Ledoux, CEO of Transakauto which still offers these models, but with an average discount of 25% .
An observation confirmed by studies: the PureTech won in the face of competition on online classifieds. According to Caradisiac, which had made statements in December 2024, a Peugeot 208 of 2015 in 82 horsepower accused 61% discount compared to its new price of the time against 48% for a similar Volkswagen Polo. A 208 of 2018 in 110 horsepower version loses 57% on average of discount against 34% for the polo shirt. The Citroën C3 fall by 65% on a 2015 model! Even recent and not stamped Puretech, an Opel Corsa of 2020 loses 31% against 20% for a polo shirt.
If used buyers ready to take a risk can make good deals on these braded models, their current owners are forced to painful discount if they want to part with them. The discount can reach 65% at Peugeot or Citroën. In the Spoticar network, a subsidiary of the Stellantis group, the used PureTech “models” benefit “from a warranty extension up to 175,000 kilometers.
The fall in second -hand values requires the Stellantis group to react so as not to see the attraction for its new models also erode. Recently, the warranty was brought to 8 years or 160,000 km and bonuses with targeted recovery are introduced as the € 700 offered by Peugeot for the purchase of a new model instead. As for the name “PureTech” which has become a ball, it has disappeared in recent months on the brochures of new models. Only engine power and its potential hybridization are now indicated.