Oscar, 45 years old, Madrid

“I’m Oscar, from Madrid, a worker like any other, living day by day and carefully watching every penny I earn.

I bought my Peugeot 208 with PureTech engine in 2017, after saving for years. It was my first major investment and I was convinced I was doing the right thing for my family. The car promised to be economical and reliable, ideal for my job as a delivery driver and for family getaways.

But at 65.000 km, I started to notice a strange noise when starting the car. It also seemed to be losing power, and the oil indicator suddenly lit up. I thought it was something minor, maybe just needing an oil change, but when I took it to the garage, I received the worst news. The timing belt, which is supposed to last many more kilometers, had worn out prematurely. The worst part was that, being immersed in oil, the rubber fragments had contaminated the entire engine, damaging other vital parts. I was told the repair would cost 3,500 euros.

Where was I going to get that money from?

I asked family and friends for help to cover the costs, but the damage was done, and the car was never the same again. I feel deeply deceived and betrayed by the brand. How can it be that a relatively new car has such a serious flaw and the company doesn’t take responsibility? After researching, I realized there are many like me, humble people who bought these cars hoping for a reliable vehicle, and who now face the same problem. That’s why I have joined the claim against Stellantis.

I want justice to be served, for them to acknowledge their mistake and compensate all those affected. It’s not just about the money; it’s the outrage of being ignored as a customer. If we don’t fight, they will continue to ignore us. The compensation I hope for will not only cover the repair costs, but also the loss of value of my car, which is now much less than what I paid due to this well-known issue.”