The owner of a three-year-old Volvo V60 has criticised Volvo UK after being told to pay a repair bill of around £10,000 despite being initially told that the manufacturer would cover the cost.
In a letter to The Guardian, the owner explained that the car broke down on a journey from Scotland to London.
The anonymous customer said: “The Volvo dealer in Edinburgh, to which it was towed, diagnosed a snapped timing chain and advised that the car needed a new engine, at a cost of £9,000 plus labour.
“As the three-year warranty had expired just two months previously and there was a full Volvo dealer service record, the garage informed me that Volvo UK had agreed to meet these costs, though I had to pay for the investigative work costing £500.”
However when the work was completed four weeks later, the owner was told to pay the £10,000 bill to get the car back.
Faulty servicing
According to the letter, Volvo UK had decided that the cause of the problem was faulty servicing and advised that the issue should be taken up with the dealer.
The owner added: “I have only had the car serviced at two north London Volvo main dealers, so am bemused by this stance.”
Replying to the letter, The Guardian’s Mile Brignall wrote: “Your story was so extraordinary we thought there must have been a mistake.
“But it was as you said.
“In fairness to Volvo, it moved fast to put this matter right after we got involved.
“Having investigated thoroughly, the company decided you will not have to pay the repair bill, and you will also be reimbursed the £500 diagnostic test costs.”
Volvo UK said: “We’re making arrangements for the car to be repatriated to the customer as an absolute priority … and apologise for any confusion and inconvenience.”
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