Peugeot offers a solution to get rid of it

A loose timing belt, a broken engine, skyrocketing repair costs… The nightmare for owners of vehicles equipped with the 1.2 PureTech engine could soon end. Peugeot is launching a major commercial operation to support motorists impacted by the failures of this controversial engine. The lion brand is offering a trade-in bonus of 700 euros for the purchase of a new hybrid vehicle throughout the month of January.

An engine marred by ten years of technical problems

The 1.2 PureTech engine, launched in 2013, was to embody French technological excellence in gasoline engines. Awarded several times the title of “Engine of the Year”, this three-cylinder unit promised performance and sobriety. The reality turned out to be very different for thousands of motorists. Achilles heel? A timing belt bathed in oil, a technical choice which proved disastrous in the long term.

The European Commission sounded the alarm in November 2020, relayed by the Rappel Conso website. The observation is clear: the vacuum pump can be damaged by abrasion of the belt material, leading to a reduction or even a total loss of braking assistance. A major defect which concerns nearly 200,000 vehicles and represents a significant risk for the safety of users.

Peugeot takes action with a concrete solution

Faced with this critical situation, Peugeot is moving up a gear. Martine Pradignac, spokesperson for Peugeot France, announces an exceptional takeover bonus of 700 euros. This financial assistance is specifically aimed at owners of vehicles equipped with a PureTech engine wishing to upgrade to a new hybrid model. An approach which is part of the manufacturer's electrification strategy while providing a response to dissatisfied customers.

The brand has also revised its copy on a technical level. Since June 2022, the new PureTech engines have included a redesigned timing belt. This technical change aims to resolve reliability issues which tarnished the reputation of this engine for almost a decade.

Tight timing to benefit from the offer

Interested motorists will need to be responsive. The trade-in offer is limited to January 2024. To benefit from it, simply go to a Peugeot dealership and sign an order form for a new hybrid vehicle. The spokesperson for Peugeot France remains evasive on a possible extension: “ These are one-off offers, we will see if we will make them last ».

This initiative from Peugeot represents an opportunity for PureTech vehicle owners to turn the page. Beyond the financial aspect, it is also an implicit recognition of the inconvenience suffered by customers. The transition to hybrid proposed by the brand is in keeping with the times, while electrified engines are gaining ground on the French automobile market. You still have to want to buy a Stellantis vehicle again after the debacles of the cursed engine as well as the AdBlue problems encountered by the group's diesel-powered cars.

Peugeot offers 700 euros trade-in bonus to owners of vehicles equipped with defective 1.2 PureTech engine
The offer is only valid in January 2024 for the purchase of a new hybrid vehicle
New PureTech engines produced since June 2022 incorporate an improved timing belt to avoid reliability issues