Poland’s used car market remains fiercely active: for every new vehicle sold, five second-hand cars change hands. But not all bargains are worth the risk. Many popular models suffer from serious engine problems, and even relatively young cars can hide expensive faults.
According to a report by Autokult, the problem is most acute in several engine families found in cars from the Stellantis group, Ford, and some Asian manufacturers. The list covers everything from city cars to large SUVs.
Stellantis 1.2 PureTech – a ticking time bomb?
The three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech, used in models ranging from the Opel Corsa to the Peugeot 5008, is notorious for oil system issues. The main complaint is excessive oil consumption and fuel mixing with the engine oil. The timing chain is also a weak point, and many units fail prematurely.
– The most common issue is oil dilution – fuel leaking into the oil – which can lead to engine seizure – warns Marek Nowak, an independent garage owner in Warsaw.
Problems with the exhaust aftertreatment system, including clogged DPF filters and AdBlue system failures, are also widespread in this engine family.
Ford EcoBoost – power at a price
Ford’s 1.0 EcoBoost is another engine that has caused a lot of grief. After several tens of thousands of kilometers, it tends to develop combustion irregularities that lead to injector failures and heavy fuel contamination of the oil. In the worst cases, the engine seizes completely.
The larger 1.5 EcoBoost does not fare much better. Its injection system is prone to failures, and the EGR valve and lubrication system are inadequate. The settting system overheats easily, and the small oil capacity multiplies the risk of a major failure.
Asian engines are not immune either. Some units from Japanese and Korean brands suffer from fuel dilution and catalytic converter problems. The gasoline particulate filter (GPF) regeneration system is also a common trouble spot.
Autokult’s list is a sobering read for anyone buying a second-hand car. While proper maintenance can delay the inevitable, these engines – particularly the Stellantis and Ford units – are best avoided unless you have a thick wallet for repairs.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/Anatoliy Cherkas
