Major fault- Dealer saying write off

[kestral]

Hammersia said:

Then it wouldn't be the dealers fault. Why should the dealer have to pay if that's the case?

The inspection will help establish some facts, which as always on these threads, are lacking. And quite possibly it will lead to a more efficaceous fix.

Which is what I said about 4 pages back. Get the facts.
What is exactly wrong with the car, never mind a crazy dealer who talks about insurance claims!

[freedman]

Ok

We drove down to see if they’d left the car out over the holidays, and they had, so

Front footwell has some water in it, but the carpets are dry to the touch (Dealer had unbolted the seat, and removed some trim) no electrical components I could see bar some wiring, which appeared unaffected by the water there)

The rear footwell, was saturated to the touch. Couldn’t get proper access to see what the situation was underneath, so don’t know if there are any electrical components there.

Boot was completely dry including the battery and ECU

Car started on the button, with no warning lights, and cycled in and out of gear without issue.

I noticed the NSR wheel arch liner had pulled away from the arch by about an inch for a quarter of its length, so that may be where the water got in?

Will go back tomorrow when they come back, possibly just needs drying out and the arch sealing?

This is surely what the dealer should have done instead of talking about insurance claims?

[ConnectionError]

freedman said:

Ok

We drove down to see if they’d left the car out over the holidays, and they had, so

Front footwell has some water in it, but the carpets are dry to the touch (Dealer had unbolted the seat, and removed some trim) no electrical components I could see bar some wiring, which appeared unaffected by the water there)

The rear footwell, was saturated to the touch. Couldn’t get proper access to see what the situation was underneath, so don’t know if there are any electrical components there.

Boot was completely dry including the battery and ECU

Car started on the button, with no warning lights, and cycled in and out of gear without issue.

I noticed the NSR wheel arch liner had pulled away from the arch by about an inch for a quarter of its length, so that may be where the water got in?

Will go back tomorrow when they come back, possibly just needs drying out and the arch sealing?

This is surely what the dealer should have done instead of talking about insurance claims?

It won't come in from the wheel arch liner

[freedman]

ConnectionError said:

It won't come in from the wheel arch liner

No?

Where do you think the likely culprit is then?

[Muzzer79]

I appreciate that this is a stty experience and that you’re looking for answers, either to set your mind at ease or prepare yourself for the worst.

However, you really can’t do anything without a proper inspection report saying where the water has ingressed, for what reason, what parts have been affected, what the resolution is and what the cost would be.

Guessing at any of the above is futile.

The dealer really should have provided the above report in full, get into them as soon as they’re back in is my advice.

[freedman]

Ok, brief update

Nearly a week on and the car still sits at Volvo, partly dismantled inside

We spoke to an independent engineer and sent him a couple of photos I took yesterday, he was helpful, but won’t be cheap at £650.00 for a normal engineers inspection report or £1k if he needs to strip the vehicle and report for court should it be needed

Volvo today said they believed the water ingress was from the rear passenger door seal

They also said they couldn’t just dry it out and give it back, due to the electrics being contaminated by dirty water

So we have a car that they are currently denying responsibility for the fault, whilst saying we can’t have the car back either !!!

[Canon_Fodder]

freedman said:

Volvo today said they believed the water ingress was from the rear passenger door seal

Are door seals covered by the warranty?

[darreni]

Canon_Fodder said:

freedman said:

Volvo today said they believed the water ingress was from the rear passenger door seal

Are door seals covered by the warranty?

No;

The comprehensive Volvo Selekt warranty covers the cost or replacement of any factory-fitted
mechanical or electrical component which suffers a mechanical or electrical failure. The only
exceptions are:
Spark plugs, auxiliary drive belts, hoses and pipes (Power Assisted Steering pressure pipes are
covered), exhaust system (catalytic converters are covered), clutch frictional material, brake shoes,
pads and discs, lamps (xenon headlamps are covered), bulbs, fuses, batteries, paintwork, body
panels, body seals and weather strips, handles and hinges, cosmetic finishes, carpets and trim,
upholstery, glass, wiper blades, wheels and tyres, the rectification of any oil leaks (unless the
removal of a major unit is required) and the adjustment of any component, servicing, maintenance
and normal wear and tear.
In the event of a successful claim, we’ll also provide a contribution towards recovery charges,
replacement vehicle hire, overnight hotel expenses, emergency travel and consequential damage
(Warranty Terms and Conditions apply). Cover is also extended to the continent of Europe for UK
residents.
IMPORTANT: Vehicles should be serviced in accordance with the Volvo servicing schedule by an
authorised Volvo repairer. Failure to do so may invalidate this warranty. Leeway of one month or
1,000 miles is permitted. Should you have any doubts concerning the service requirements of your
Volvo, please contact your dealer for clarification.

[Canon_Fodder]

Thanks.

[GasEngineer]

freedman said:

Ok, brief update

Nearly a week on and the car still sits at Volvo, partly dismantled inside

We spoke to an independent engineer and sent him a couple of photos I took yesterday, he was helpful, but won’t be cheap at £650.00 for a normal engineers inspection report or £1k if he needs to strip the vehicle and report for court should it be needed

Volvo today said they believed the water ingress was from the rear passenger door seal

They also said they couldn’t just dry it out and give it back, due to the electrics being contaminated by dirty water

So we have a car that they are currently denying responsibility for the fault, whilst saying we can’t have the car back either !!!

If the car now starts normally, perhaps the electronic component causing the fault has now dried out.
As said upthread - they need to give you details about which part is/was affected and why it can't be repaired or replaced.

[freedman]

GasEngineer said:

If the car now starts normally, perhaps the electronic component causing the fault has now dried out.
As said upthread - they need to give you details about which part is/was affected and why it can't be repaired or replaced.

Agreed,

It seems incredible to me they have had the car a week, and still haven’t told us what was wrong with it

Not sure how they can legally refuse to return it, either

[darreni]

It’s not really a week though - Christmas is in the mix & most places will have staff off over the break.

[Deerfoot]

freedman said:

Not sure how they can legally refuse to return it, either

I wondered this as well, it isn't theirs to impound.

It's almost as if they don't want the OP to get it independently inspected...

[NRG1976]

freedman said:

GasEngineer said:

If the car now starts normally, perhaps the electronic component causing the fault has now dried out.
As said upthread - they need to give you details about which part is/was affected and why it can't be repaired or replaced.

Agreed,

It seems incredible to me they have had the car a week, and still haven’t told us what was wrong with it

Not sure how they can legally refuse to return it, either

Unless you get it recovered I understand they can prevent you from driving it away under ‘duty of care’, in the case the car is not roadworthy.

[wibble cb]

darreni said:

Canon_Fodder said:

freedman said:

Volvo today said they believed the water ingress was from the rear passenger door seal

Are door seals covered by the warranty?

No;

The comprehensive Volvo Selekt warranty covers the cost or replacement of any factory-fitted
mechanical or electrical component which suffers a mechanical or electrical failure. The only
exceptions are:
Spark plugs, auxiliary drive belts, hoses and pipes (Power Assisted Steering pressure pipes are
covered), exhaust system (catalytic converters are covered), clutch frictional material, brake shoes,
pads and discs, lamps (xenon headlamps are covered), bulbs, fuses, batteries, paintwork, body
panels, body seals and weather strips, handles and hinges, cosmetic finishes, carpets and trim,
upholstery, glass, wiper blades, wheels and tyres, the rectification of any oil leaks (unless the
removal of a major unit is required) and the adjustment of any component, servicing, maintenance
and normal wear and tear.
In the event of a successful claim, we’ll also provide a contribution towards recovery charges,
replacement vehicle hire, overnight hotel expenses, emergency travel and consequential damage
(Warranty Terms and Conditions apply). Cover is also extended to the continent of Europe for UK
residents.
IMPORTANT: Vehicles should be serviced in accordance with the Volvo servicing schedule by an
authorised Volvo repairer. Failure to do so may invalidate this warranty. Leeway of one month or
1,000 miles is permitted. Should you have any doubts concerning the service requirements of your
Volvo, please contact your dealer for clarification.

Doesn’t really leave much left that is covered does it….

[Richard-390a0]

freedman said:

Not sure how they can legally refuse to return it, either

Tell them you're happy to sign a legal disclaimer?

[jm doc]

freedman said:

Ok, brief update

Nearly a week on and the car still sits at Volvo, partly dismantled inside

We spoke to an independent engineer and sent him a couple of photos I took yesterday, he was helpful, but won’t be cheap at £650.00 for a normal engineers inspection report or £1k if he needs to strip the vehicle and report for court should it be needed

Volvo today said they believed the water ingress was from the rear passenger door seal

They also said they couldn’t just dry it out and give it back, due to the electrics being contaminated by dirty water

So we have a car that they are currently denying responsibility for the fault, whilst saying we can’t have the car back either !!!

From my experience (not Volvo), main dealers and the head office will lie through their teeth and do everything to try and put you off. In this case the main dealer has said the rear door seal has failed. I would not expect a door seal to fail in a high end car that is designed to be used in extreme climates after three years. In the problem I had with a claim I just repeated this, stuck to my guns and wrote informing them I would be taking legal action against them and they eventually agreed to do the repairs. Don't be put off, be firm that this is a manufacturing defect and keep repeating that.

As others have said, go on-line, on volvo forums and find out if other cars have had this issue and tell the main dealer you know this is a problem (if it actually is). It massively reinforces your claim if you can provide supporting evidence.

Good luck, and remember, they are not there to help you, they think you are stupid and an irritant.

[M4cruiser]

freedman said:

Car also had to have the EGR replaced, under warranty a month ago, and the rear light on purchase, as it was full of water (they say that’s not connected)

I'd say it is connected. Car had water damage at the rear before you bought it, and it's now showing through other electrical bits.

[freedman]

M4cruiser said:

I'd say it is connected. Car had water damage at the rear before you bought it, and it's now showing through other electrical bits.

I think that’s almost certainly true, and the best case for getting them to sort

He got a call this afternoon from someone more senior in the dealership who seemed like he may get things moving, and said we would get an update tomorrow

[GasEngineer]

wibble cb said:

Doesn’t really leave much left that is covered does it….

I like the way they say "The only exceptions are:"

Then they list pretty much everything !