New engine required on xc60? 3 years old

[Saftlad]

I'm not sure I've seen anything as definite 6 years, though that is the general timeframe.

If I paid £100 for something, I'd assume it had provided a reasonable lifespan over 4 years and just suck up the change. I'd definitely be expecting more from something that cost £40k

In your situation, I would definitely be pushing Volvo for more than 50/50 given the low mileage, full Volvo servicing etc and as for the "suspect requires new engine" I'd be looking for a lot more evidence before handing over any payments

[Lexman8]

There are a number of factors that contribute to how long a particular purchase should be free of defects and fit for purpose.

The relevant law is The Consumer Rights Act 2015. I've attached a copy. Although it is written in a legal style (obviously) it is quite readable. Chapter 2 is probably most relevant to you.
_

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

Adding to what others have said,

"Suspect requires new engine" - I'd like more than a suspicion before spending £9000 (or even £4.5). But they may have more information that what was shared as I would think Volvo would want some conclusive evidence before agreeing to spend £4.5k.

Secondly, see link below, which might be of interest, for a Volvo with a catastrophic engine failure at 3years and 4 days old, and therefore out of warranty. 30K miles. Volvo originally offered 50%, went to 80% and finally up to 100%.

Not identical circumstances, but similar enough to be of interest, I would have thought.

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/t...oughts-please/

a new engine job costs double that in a main dealer ... you were right first time

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Quacker

Sadly typical of many main dealers that lack skilled mechanics that are able to actually repair things. They mainly employ ‘fitters’ rather than mechanics
Nevertheless under consumer law in the UK you are actually covered for this kind of premature failure for six years from purchase. You should not have to pay anything for this repair even if it means a whole new engine.

No that's simply not true , Volvo lay on rigorous mandatory technical training programs to the highest diploma levels for every Technician up at their ultra modern new training centre in Daventry which go on every year through their career , this nothing new its been going on for the last 50 years , volvo lead the way in training in this country ..they have been called technicians for over 20 years now rather than mechanics , There are 4 grade levels a Volvo Technician has to work through over the years as he progresses .. and only one with the relevant qualifications is allowed to work on a particular job of his skill level , its all documented and recorded in the volvo computer systems and independently audited twice a year ..

People have no idea what it is like behind the scenes in a modern "garage" these days .

Some people are born technicians , the ones that have to rely on the training are not the ones that make it to the top levels sadly .. There is now a shortage of these people wanting to do this kind of work .

Regarding fitters yes , but they have to use their brains to know what to fit and how to fit it which is not easy these days .
The reason they don't repair things anymore is that if that repair causes another failure in the years warranty or even 18 months later its going to cost the company money and the owner grief , hence changing a starter motor for example rather than fit brushes at half the cost ...

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by Lean

I've been told I need a new engine which is going to cost 9k. Volvo customer service have agreed to pay 50% of the cost - but obviously leaves me with a 4.5k cost. [/I]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

"Suspect requires new engine" - I'd like more than a suspicion before spending £9000 (or even £4.5). But they may have more information that what was shared as I would think Volvo would want some conclusive evidence before agreeing to spend £4.5k.

Originally Posted by Clan

a new engine job costs double that in a main dealer ... you were right first time

Clan, Lean stated that the cost of the job was £9k, but Volvo had agreed to pay 50% of the cost on the basis of "Suspect requires new engine." which is the £4.5k for Volvo and £4.5k for Lean.

Everyone was stating that there seemed to be not enough information to go ahead with an engine change, but according to Lean, Volvo have agreed to spend the £4.5k on this information.
Hopefully he can get them to agree to the other £4.5k too.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by Clan

No that's simply not true , Volvo lay on rigorous mandatory technical training programs to the highest diploma levels for every Technician up at their ultra modern new training centre in Daventry which go on every year through their career , this nothing new its been going on for the last 50 years , volvo lead the way in training in this country ..they have been called technicians for over 20 years now rather than mechanics , There are 4 grade levels a Volvo Technician has to work through over the years as he progresses .. and only one with the relevant qualifications is allowed to work on a particular job of his skill level , its all documented and recorded in the volvo computer systems and independently audited twice a year ..

People have no idea what it is like behind the scenes in a modern "garage" these days .

Some people are born technicians , the ones that have to rely on the training are not the ones that make it to the top levels sadly .. There is now a shortage of these people wanting to do this kind of work .

Regarding fitters yes , but they have to use their brains to know what to fit and how to fit it which is not easy these days .
The reason they don't repair things anymore is that if that repair causes another failure in the years warranty or even 18 months later its going to cost the company money and the owner grief , hence changing a starter motor for example rather than fit brushes at half the cost ...

An example. A rather too typical one unfortunately…
Some few years ago I bought a new Audi Q7 V6 diesel. At about four and a half years of age it started to occasionally blow the electric seat fuse, which I had to replace several times over a few months. Took it to the main Audi dealer at Swansea, Sinclare Audi, for a regular service and asked them to check out and repair the seat while it was there. Service receptionist informed me upon completion of the service that "our Master Technician has inspected your seat and found two electric motors burnt out. Unfortunately these are not serviceable items and not available as parts individually, but we will, due to you being a good loyal customer, discount a brand new seat to only £1000 plus VAT plus fitting plus VAT". I said I'd think about it.
Took it to my local mechanic and he found a chaffed cable on top of a motor and a full repair ended up costing me one hour of his labour [half an Audi hour's labour] and free insulating tape.

So what did the 'Master Technician' actually do apart from trying to scam me hard? Might as well have a blindfolded monkey look at it. At least the monkey wouldn't have tried to scam me out of £1500.
Needless to say I never darkened their door again and never will either.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Clan

No that's simply not true , Volvo lay on rigorous mandatory technical training programs to the highest diploma levels for every Technician up at their ultra modern new training centre in Daventry which go on every year through their career , this nothing new its been going on for the last 50 years , volvo lead the way in training in this country ..they have been called technicians for over 20 years now rather than mechanics , There are 4 grade levels a Volvo Technician has to work through over the years as he progresses .. and only one with the relevant qualifications is allowed to work on a particular job of his skill level , its all documented and recorded in the volvo computer systems and independently audited twice a year ..

People have no idea what it is like behind the scenes in a modern "garage" these days .

Some people are born technicians , the ones that have to rely on the training are not the ones that make it to the top levels sadly .. There is now a shortage of these people wanting to do this kind of work .

Regarding fitters yes , but they have to use their brains to know what to fit and how to fit it which is not easy these days .
The reason they don't repair things anymore is that if that repair causes another failure in the years warranty or even 18 months later its going to cost the company money and the owner grief , hence changing a starter motor for example rather than fit brushes at half the cost ...

They absolutely do not that is BS. Volvo head quarters may do a lot but realistically when you get to the dealers you are likly to get a fault code then they will change lots of parts till it’s fixed at £150 an hour.

Look at this very post, a half hour check (if that) followed by ‘new engine sir’

[Clan]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

They absolutely do not that is BS. Volvo head quarters may do a lot but realistically when you get to the dealers you are likly to get a fault code then they will change lots of parts till it’s fixed at £150 an hour.

Look at this very post, a half hour check (if that) followed by ‘new engine sir’

Having seen it first hand for over 40 years from the inside I know exactly what goes on ... and problems are caused by untrained and un caring staff however they end up where they are with that job is another question , each are individual cases which need looking into , but if no one complains to the top man it will never be stamped out . ... Its NOT widespread , we only hear about the few that gravitate here of course.. There are many good things going on behind the scenes with the job being done properly and the process followed properly with the right outcome . .

[AB-UK]

I should think a civil court action against the dealer AND Volvo, on the grounds that the car was "not fit for purpose" should be on the cards here.

The engine of a £45k car, after only 25k miles, and regularly serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's recomendations, might reasonably be expected to last much longer.

The Judge in a civil case does not require definitive evidence since they operate on a "balance of probabilities" level, where common sense rules apply and I think any reasonable person would expect the engine not to fail in the circumstances you have described.

If you don't have a tame solicitor to hand, the CAB might be a good place to seek initial advice.

Which! also have legal advisors who as you might expect specialise in consumer law.

Keep us informed please.

[Lean]

Thanks for the comments all.

No major development as yet - there seems to be a fair amount of ping pong between dealer and Volvo.

I'm sitting on the sidelines and they (both) are more than aware that I'm not happy paying anything for this - but feel there is a stalemate ensuing between them.

I'll update once I have more significant news.