Laura, 28 years old, Barcelona

“My name is Laura, I am 28 years old and I live in Barcelona. A few years ago, with the help of my father, I bought a second-hand Peugeot 2008 with a PureTech engine.

My family is humble, and although it may seem silly to you, this car was their pride and joy, and even though it wasn’t new, they had taken great care of it. At first, I felt fortunate to have a car without having to buy it, which helped me a lot in my job as a nurse, especially during the difficult times of the pandemic.

But at 55,000 km, the car started showing problems. The engine was overheating and making strange noises that I couldn’t ignore. When we took it to the garage, I was informed that the timing belt was disintegrating and had contaminated the engine lubrication system, affecting other critical parts. The repair cost me 4,200 euros, a huge amount for me, especially after temporarily leaving my job to take care of my mother.

The most frustrating part is that it wasn’t a problem that could have been foreseen or prevented; it was a factory defect that the brand should have acknowledged. I feel cheated and deeply disappointed. This car has sentimental value to me, but now it has become a burden. I have joined the claim against Stellantis because I want justice, not just for me, but for all those who have suffered from these faulty engines. I hope for compensation that covers not only the repairs but also the depreciation of the car, which has lost value due to this known issue.”