These car models are almost impossible to resell

Car models that used to be considered economical and modern choices have now gained a reputation that makes them almost impossible to resell.

This is especially true of the Peugeot 208, Citroën C3 and Opel Corsa with the so-called PureTech engine.

Just a few years ago, these models were among the most desirable in their class.

Buyers were attracted by design, low fuel consumption and great technological solutions.

Today, many owners of models produced between 2014 and 2020 are struggling to find interested buyers willing to pay a price commensurate with the car’s original value.

Design flaws create uncertainty

According to French media outlet Internaute, the problem is due to a known weakness in the engine.

The three-cylinder PureTech engine suffers from a design where the timing belt is in direct contact with the engine oil.

This leads to faster degradation of the timing belt, which in the worst case can lead to serious engine problems and high repair bills.

As a result, many dealers have started rejecting cars with this engine unless the car is still covered by factory warranty.

– We won’t take back any PureTech unless it’s still under warranty, says Yoni Dayan from car dealership chain Simplicicar.

Also, dealers who accept the cars are bidding lower than usual to compensate for the potential risk.

Resale value drops significantly

Analysis of the used car market clearly shows that the affected models lose more value than similar cars.

A 2015 Peugeot 208 with 82 horsepower has lost approximately 61 percent of its value compared to its new price.

In comparison, a Volkswagen Polo from the same year has only dropped by 48%.

A Citroën C3 from the same year has lost 65% of its original value.

To address the problem, the parent group Stellantis has taken several measures.

Among other things, the warranty period for affected cars has been extended to 8 years or 160,000 kilometers.

In addition, scrappage bonuses are being offered to owners who choose to switch to a newer model.

Whether these initiatives will be enough to restore confidence in the cars remains to be seen.