The engines 1.2 PureTech1.2 PureTech engines, found in Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, DS and Jeep (Stellantis Group) vehicles, have caused a great deal of concern among owners due to problems with premature wear of the timing beltwhich has led to serious and costly serious and costly breakdowns.. Faced with the passivity of some manufacturers in assuming responsibility outside the warranty period, a solid legal avenue has emerged: the class action lawsuit.
The purpose of this guide is to explain in a clear, orderly and legally sound manner how the collective claim process works. how the class action lawsuit process worksWhat is needed to participate, how much it costs and what results an affected party can obtain.
The collective claim has obvious advantages over an individual claim, as it allows to unify legal efforts, reduce procedural costs and increase pressure on the manufacturer.It allows to unify legal efforts, reduce procedural costs and increase pressure on the manufacturer. PureTech Legal, in collaboration with affected associations, is leading this collective legal action to defend the rights of injured owners.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Check if You Can Claim
Who can claim and who cannot?
The collective claim is open to all individuals who:
- Are or have been owners of a vehicle with 1.2 PureTech (gasoline) engine affected.
- Have suffered failures related to premature wear of the timing belt.
- Provide proof of compliance with the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance.
- They have supporting documentation (see step 2).
Who is excluded?
- Companies or self-employed persons who have acquired the vehicle for professional use will not be able to make a legal claim, but they will be able to join the extrajudicial claim if they have had breakdowns related to the engine defect.
- This is because Spanish legislation differentiates the protection regime for consumers and users from that of legal entities or self-employed persons, who do not enjoy the same rights in claims of this type.
Step 2: Gather the Necessary Documentation
In order to join the claim, the affected party must provide a series of documents to build the legal file:
Essential documents:
- Document that accredits the purchase of the vehicle (invoice, contract, financing, payment of the road tax or bank movement).
- Repair bills that you want to claim, that are related to the engine failure (belt replacement, engine breakdown, excessive oil consumption, oil pump failure, etc).
- Proof of periodic maintenance (invoices of oil and filter changes, revisions or the maintenance book covered and sealed), especially those of the last 3 years.
❗ It is essential to be able to prove that the maintenance was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as Stellantis often argues lack of maintenance in order to disregard the failure.
What if I don’t have all the supporting documents?
In some cases, maintenance histories can be reconstructed through workshops or official services.
Tools for scanning and sending documentation
It is recommended to scan all documents with applications such as:
- Adobe Scan
- CamScanner
- Microsoft Lens
Step 3: Sign the Order Form and Join the Claim
The engagement form is the document that formalizes the formalizes the relationship between the affected party and the law firm.. Signing it does not imply any payment in advance, but it does:
Commitments and legal rights:
- Assign legal representation to the law firm to act on behalf of the client.
- Accept the terms of the claim, including success fees.
- The right to be periodically informed of the status of the case.
Frequently asked questions about this step:
- Can I abandon the process after signing? → Yes, but there may be a penalty if we have already started the formalities with Stellantis.
- What happens if I win the case? → The law firm retains the agreed percentage of the amount recovered.
Step 4: Extrajudicial Negotiation Phase
Before going to court, an amicable resolution will be attempted. amicable resolution with the defendant (Stellantis or its brands). This phase:
- It is based on the sending of legal requirements and formal and direct communication with Stellantos.
- It speeds up the process and reduces legal costs.
- It can conclude economic agreements without the need for a trial.
At this time, the average duration of this phase can range from 2 to 3 months.
Step 5: Judicial Process (if negotiation fails)
If an out-of-court settlement is not reached, legal proceedings will be initiated through the judicial judicial proceedings. At this point, if the process will be initiated by means of a judicial judicial conciliationwhere:
- We propose a formal agreement through the court.
- If Stellantis does not agree to negotiate or we do not reach an agreement, we will continue with the lawsuit.
Conciliation can take around 6 months. The trial can take between 12 and 24 months depending on the assigned court and the amount to be claimed. If the judgment is appealed this time could increase up to 5 years.
Process Costs and Fees
How much does it cost to claim?
In this process there is no initial cost for the affected party. PureTech Legal works under a “pay for success” model. “pay for success” model..
What percentage does the firm keep if it wins?
The firm retains a 30% of the amount of the amount recovered. This percentage is detailed in the order form and covers all legal expenses and case management.
Case Tracking and Claim Status
All participants have access to a private area and a weekly newsletter where they can:
- Check the status of your file.
- Upload additional documentation.
- To be updated on the progress of the process.
In addition, e-mail notifications will be sent notifications will be sent by e-mail will be sent in case of any relevant change.
What if I want to drop the claim?
The affected party may withdraw from the processHowever, the following considerations must be taken into account:
- Once the documentation has been received and the case has been analyzed, the affected person will receive an email with our opinion about his/her case. If it is APT you will have 15 days to decide if you wish to continue with the process, in case of continuing you will have to pay 50 € for the analysis performed. If not, you will be able to withdraw without any cost. If the case is not considered suitable no cost is generated either.
- Once the process has been initiated and depending on the progress of the claim, the affected party who wishes to withdraw must assume a cost of between 200 € and 400 €.. The 50 € paid for the initial analysis will not be refunded in any case.
- In any case, the withdrawal must be formalized in writing.
Conclusion
The class action claim for PureTech engine failures represents a real and legally sound opportunity to recover money spent on repairs resulting from a factory defect. to recover the money spent on repairs resulting from a factory defect..
This process, led by PureTech Legal in collaboration with consumer associations, is designed to simplify the participation of the affected party as much as possible, with no upfront cost and a high probability of success.