DPF Faults Everywhere

[NeuralCord]

Hi guys,

After having my S40 for 2 months (Volvo Approved Used), on Sunday night it nicely told me an "Engine System Service" was required.
I dropped it off with Volvo in Leeds, who diagnosed it as a faulty DPF Pressure sensor and that it wasn't covered by my warranty. After contacting Volvo Warranty (who are utterly useless and made me realise the warranty on my car is equally as pathetic) and the service department at Volvo Bradford, I rang Trading Standards about this. I was told that I should go back to the dealer who sold me the car (Volvo Bradford) and that they are liable for selling me a car that is not of satisfactory quality - after-all, a sensor is a completely passive device with no moving parts so any failure is a problem with manufacturing.

After talking with the owner of the dealership (Bradford), and being told that I shouldn't have gone to Trading Standards (the cheek!) I faxed over a copy of the diagnostic report from Leeds Volvo and later heard back that Bradford are willing to contribute 50% of the total cost (est. £614 in total). For something which, after some Googling, seems to be a common fault, I am still pretty shocked by this! Especially considering I've only owned the car for 2 months and it's already had 2 bearings replaced.

I took it to Bradford yesterday for them to diagnose it themselves (why isn't a diagnostic from another Volvo dealer enough? Surely they're all trained Volvo techs?). They put a new sensor on - came up with the fault.
They put my sensor back on - came up with the fault.
Updated the ECM software - claimed it didn't come up with the fault and that they were able to wipe it from memory, but it flagged it the second I got in the car on their forecourt!

I was wondering if anyone else has got Volvo or their dealer to pay for this fault? As far as I've been advised they're completely liable and any mention of their liability comes back with an off-hand comment about how "you really don't need remind me of our obligations".

For the techies out there, the VIDA codes read by Volvo Leeds are:
ECM2454 - Pressure sensor particulate trap sensor signal too low
ECM2002 - Particulate trap faulty signal
ECM2452 - Pressure sensor particulate trap faulty signal

[faffi]

Is it a brand new car, or one you bought used?

[NeuralCord]

Faffi, it's used. Just ticked over 4 years, 56k on it.
Was just under 4 years old when I got it, and 54k.

[faffi]

I do not know your local legal rights, but as to the fault codes, I expect Guru or Clan to be able to give you an explanation as to what the real problem likely is.

[outnumbered]

hope this may help you.
mike

[NeuralCord]

Mike, that's a fantastic help, I really appreciate it. I got your PM, but haven't hit the magical 30 posts yet to send you a reply!

[Doveaboy]

Mate, I'm sure you are protected by the Sale of Goods Act. Case law has found that a fault that develops within six months of purchase is deemed to have existed when the car was sold. You have to give them the chance to fix it but if they refuse you can pay for it elsewhere and then take them to Small Claims Court to recoup. You will win and they will know that. I hope it's okay with the mods to recommend another website but look up www.honestjohn.co.uk and you will find chapter and verse on what to do. I've often used mention of Sale of Goods Act when sales chaps try to flog me a warranty. The car comes with six months protection through it anyway, unless it's more than six years old which I believe is when the protection becomes less watertight. Don't let the buggers rip you off.

[S40 Squared]

Originally Posted by NeuralCord

Hi guys,

After having my S40 for 2 months (Volvo Approved Used), on Sunday night it nicely told me an "Engine System Service" was required.
I dropped it off with Volvo in Leeds, who diagnosed it as a faulty DPF Pressure sensor and that it wasn't covered by my warranty. After contacting Volvo Warranty (who are utterly useless and made me realise the warranty on my car is equally as pathetic) and the service department at Volvo Bradford, I rang Trading Standards about this. I was told that I should go back to the dealer who sold me the car (Volvo Bradford) and that they are liable for selling me a car that is not of satisfactory quality - after-all, a sensor is a completely passive device with no moving parts so any failure is a problem with manufacturing.

After talking with the owner of the dealership (Bradford), and being told that I shouldn't have gone to Trading Standards (the cheek!) I faxed over a copy of the diagnostic report from Leeds Volvo and later heard back that Bradford are willing to contribute 50% of the total cost (est. £614 in total). For something which, after some Googling, seems to be a common fault, I am still pretty shocked by this! Especially considering I've only owned the car for 2 months and it's already had 2 bearings replaced.

I took it to Bradford yesterday for them to diagnose it themselves (why isn't a diagnostic from another Volvo dealer enough? Surely they're all trained Volvo techs?). They put a new sensor on - came up with the fault.
They put my sensor back on - came up with the fault.
Updated the ECM software - claimed it didn't come up with the fault and that they were able to wipe it from memory, but it flagged it the second I got in the car on their forecourt!

I was wondering if anyone else has got Volvo or their dealer to pay for this fault? As far as I've been advised they're completely liable and any mention of their liability comes back with an off-hand comment about how "you really don't need remind me of our obligations".

For the techies out there, the VIDA codes read by Volvo Leeds are:
ECM2454 - Pressure sensor particulate trap sensor signal too low
ECM2002 - Particulate trap faulty signal
ECM2452 - Pressure sensor particulate trap faulty signal

Strange. I heard Clive Brook volvo (bradford) were good. However, regarding Leeds volvo I will give you the best piece of advice i can - stay away!

They cost me £800 for service, cambelt, tyres and then asked if I wanted to spend another £200 as the brakes had slight wear. After discovering they had driven 10 miles in my car (not needed for a roadtest - did they do the butty run in it??) I spat the dummy and went elsewhere. Their service is also poor, especially as I spend £1,000+ per year servicing 3 volvos.

I now use Ray Chapman (as do a lot of leeds customers I believe). Exemplary service and worth driving the extra 25 miles every time.

Hope you get your car sorted.

[ManfromMars]

Originally Posted by S40 Squared

I heard Clive Brook volvo (bradford) were good. However, regarding Leeds volvo I will give you the best piece of advice i can - stay away!

I now use Ray Chapman (as do a lot of leeds customers I believe). Exemplary service and worth driving the extra 25 miles every time.

Hope you get your car sorted.

Interesting about Volvo Dealers, Over the last 20 years, I have tried very hard to buy a car from Huddersfield Volvo, which is where I live. But I've bought them, (nearly new) from Lex (Leeds), Riverside (York) Mount (Bradford), Mount (Independant, Halifax) & Clive Brook (Bradford). I've always tried hard to buy from H*****s, but they really don't seem interested.
Last purchase was 34% off list with 7000 miles which until someone tells me differently, seemed good to me.

[S40 Squared]

Originally Posted by ManfromMars

Interesting about Volvo Dealers, Over the last 20 years, I have tried very hard to buy a car from Huddersfield Volvo, which is where I live. But I've bought them, (nearly new) from Lex (Leeds), Riverside (York) Mount (Bradford), Mount (Independant, Halifax) & Clive Brook (Bradford). I've always tried hard to buy from H*****s, but they really don't seem interested.
Last purchase was 34% off list with 7000 miles which until someone tells me differently, seemed good to me.

Does seem a good deal. We choose the model and spec and then search online. So far we have had two S80's from Stockport, one from Dundee, one S40 from Stoke on Trent and one S40 from Crewe. All have done decent deals. Always buy nearly new - save the most £ or get a deal like you did.

Servicing is where I want to be well treated. I am paying them enough, so a little thankyou from them is what I expect rather than "do you want to spend even more money". I never walked away from my local dealer feeling like a valued customer, so that's why I go elsewhere. Its a customers market!