A MAJOR garage has closed down at the worst possible time – after thousands of drivers across the country were ordered to avoid using their cars as part of a huge recall.
A serious fault recently discovered in Citroen and DS3 vehicles has resulted in a nationwide safety notice.
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However, the sudden closure of Duff Morgan Citroen and Peugeot – a widely-used service centre in Norwich – has now left many vehicle owners in the lurch.
According to the Eastern Daily Press, the service centre and its Express Service, located on Whiffler Road, closed its doors several weeks ago.
And while the reason for the outlet’s closure has not been revealed, it does coincide with one of the largest car recalls the country has experienced so far this year.
The recall, first announced back in June, targets certain Citroen and DS3 vehicles due to potentially faulty airbags.
It has left thousands of UK drivers unable to use their cars, as Stellantis, the parent company of Citroen, issued an urgent “stop driving” alert.
The affected models include all Citroen C3 and DS3 vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2016, as well as some DS3 models produced from 2016 to 2019.
Recently, the recall was also expanded to include C4, DS4 and DS5 models.
Reports suggest the expansion added roughly 9,968 UK cars to the total, meaning nearly 106,000 Citroen or DS vehicles in Britain are covered by the stop‑drive action.
The recall was prompted by concerns over airbags supplied by the now-defunct Japanese manufacturer Takata, whose components have been linked to fatal accidents.
In one incident, a driver in France was killed after a minor collision resulted in metal shrapnel from a faulty airbag hitting them – prompting an immediate reaction from the company.
Consumer protection organisation, Which?, has since slammed Stellantis for their “chaotic” handling of the recall and called on them to make urgent improvements.
Thousands of customers across the country have been left unable to drive their cars, with many having no alternative modes of transport, according to Which?.
No incidents are yet to be reported in the UK, but the consumer group has expressed its concern for the lack of clarity around available compensation for customers.
They outlined how “major upheaval” had been caused for customers who were reliant on their cars.
This has only been compounded for Norwich residents, as the closure of the Duff Morgan service centre means many have been unable to get repairs necessary for them to use their cars to access work, healthcare appointments or essential activities, such as taking their children to school.
Elderly individuals in rural areas have also experienced isolation due to the lack of transportation.
Many owners across the country have already complained of substantial delays in receiving necessary repairs, with garages struggling to source replacement airbags.
Sun Motors has contacted Duff Morgan for a comment, an explanation on why the site has closed, and which alternative locations frustrated car owners can take their cars for repairs.
Citroen & DS models affected by UK ‘stop drive’ action
- Citroen C3 (second gen) – built from 2009 to 2016
- Citroen DS3 – built from 2009 to 2016
- DS Automobiles DS3 – built from 2016 to 2019
- Citroen C4 – built from 2010 to 2018
- Citroen DS4 – built from 2010 and 2017
- Citroen DS5 – built from 2010 to 2018