Major fault- Dealer saying write off

[Canon_Fodder]

freedman said:

Oddly, it seems they are saying the damage is something to do with the near side rear quarter. Which is where the battery lives (think)

Edited by freedman on Friday 22 December 15:51

Same side as the rear light that filled with water?

[freedman]

Canon_Fodder said:

Same side as the rear light that filled with water?

Yes

My immediate thought was they were connected but the dealer refuted that when he went back to them

[Caddyshack]

I had an AMG that filled up with water and took a lot of electrics with it, it was a torn rubber grommet near the front wing, it filled up with rain water.


My Audi TT once filled with water, that was a convertible hood that had rotted under the body line.

My Boxster once filled with water, that was a blocked drain.

It has rained a lot recently, OP car could have lots of rain water?

[No ideas for a name]

freedman said:

Yes

My immediate thought was they were connected but the dealer refuted that when he went back to them

It sounds very much like they sold you a car with that fault - or they didn't fit the light properly and it has since let the water in.
Both cases, they are liable.

[kestral]

freedman said:

Ok, asking for some help here. I’ve seen similar issues raised but can’t find the threads

Car purchased 7 months ago, from main dealer and still under warranty

Car ground to a halt and refused to re start, or go into drive (automatic)

AA said they couldn’t deal with it, so recovered to the main dealer

Dealer called, found the fault, caused by water ingress into the electrical system. (no further details provided yet)

Dealer says not covered by warranty, car is a write off so claim on your insurance ( no details further than that yet)

The car has not been driven through a flood, at least in the current ownership.

Any advice gratefully received

Dealer principle? Resolver? CRA?

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)

Car is a 2019 Volvo V90 estate

Car is financed so this is a big issue!,

The first thing you need to find out is why the car will not run

Just saying water ingress has writen the car of is bonkers.

Where has the water ingressed?

What part of the electrical system has been damaged?

Has the part been damaged beyond repair and why, will it not dry out?

Why can the damaged part not be replaced, the whole electriclal system cannot be knackered.

Then find out how much it will cost to repair replace the parts from an independant person.

A back street garge could probably sort it out for a couple of hundred quid, BUT you have got yourself involved with MAIN DEALERS!

Also you need to speak to your finance company as they can and do go back to the dealer and 'say get it sorted', the finance company carry some weight.

Remember. Find out what part is damaged. If you don't you don't not what is going on.

Edited by kestral on Friday 22 December 16:05

[Geffg]

Canon_Fodder said:

Same side as the rear light that filled with water?

That’s what I was just thinking.

A guy I knew few years ago had a Q7 which had a fault and dealer said water ingress had fried an ecu and wouldn’t replace. Cost him around £5k to sort them out.
Did they sell the car as only to be used when dry!

[Hugo Stiglitz]

freedman said:

Canon_Fodder said:

Same side as the rear light that filled with water?

Yes

My immediate thought was they were connected but the dealer refuted that when he went back to them

This is interesting- I'd certainly hold of the insurer route as that's a great cop out and a big liability cost for you/insurance.

Plus any previous accident damage in that side, measure paint thickness etc.

[alscar]

If previously “ flooded “ ( prior ownership ) and the EGR already replaced wouldn’t you expect the issue to have occurred much sooner than 7 months ?
Getting the finance company onboard to fight the dealer sounds sensible if said dealer isn’t listening to you.
Not sure why your Insurer will be at all interested though unless it’s currently in the middle of a Ford.
Best of luck sorting.

[Muzzer79]

kestral said:

Then find out how much it will cost to repair replace the parts from an independant person.

A back street garge could probably sort it out for a couple of hundred quid, BUT you have got yourself involved with MAIN DEALERS!

The OP has a Volvo OEM warranty with the car. There is no reason he shouldn't go to a main dealer to get it sorted.

However, I agree with your intention that the OP should get more detail. What is damaged, where is it on the car, where has the water ingressed, why can't it be replaced, etc.

It's only with this info that you can establish whether the dealer should be sorting it or whether something else has happened.

[Caddyshack]

Muzzer79 said:

kestral said:

Then find out how much it will cost to repair replace the parts from an independant person.

A back street garge could probably sort it out for a couple of hundred quid, BUT you have got yourself involved with MAIN DEALERS!

The OP has a Volvo OEM warranty with the car. There is no reason he shouldn't go to a main dealer to get it sorted.

However, I agree with your intention that the OP should get more detail. What is damaged, where is it on the car, where has the water ingressed, why can't it be replaced, etc.

It's only with this info that you can establish whether the dealer should be sorting it or whether something else has happened.

Yes, get a second opinion.

[freedman]

kestral said:

The first thing you need to find out is why the car will not run

Just saying water ingress has writen the car of is bonkers.

Where has the water ingressed?

What part of the electrical system has been damaged?

Has the part been damaged beyond repair and why, will it not dry out?

Why can the damaged part not be replaced, the whole electriclal system cannot be knackered.

Then find out how much it will cost to repair replace the parts from an independant person.

A back street garge could probably sort it out for a couple of hundred quid, BUT you have got yourself involved with MAIN DEALERS!

Also you need to speak to your finance company as they can and do go back to the dealer and 'say get it sorted', the finance company carry some weight.

Remember. Find out what part is damaged. If you don't you don't not what is going on.

Edited by kestral on Friday 22 December 16:05

Yep, fully agree, waiting to hear if the dealer has provided the report yet

[imagineifyeswill]

I think a lot of the main electrics fuse board power distribution units are in the n/s rear quarter on Volvos.
Could it be like ford Focus that has air pressure reducing flaps behind rear bumper corners which leak and fill the wing voids with water.

[DodgyGeezer]

alscar said:

Not sure why your Insurer will be at all interested though unless it’s currently in the middle of a Ford.
Best of luck sorting.

Isn't this one of the instances where the 'legal protection' option is useful? As others have also said though get the finance company involved soonest

[freedman]

imagineifyeswill said:

I think a lot of the main electrics fuse board power distribution units are in the n/s rear quarter on Volvos.
Could it be like ford Focus that has air pressure reducing flaps behind rear bumper corners which leak and fill the wing voids with water.

Ok, thank you for that

[alscar]

DodgyGeezer said:

Isn't this one of the instances where the 'legal protection' option is useful? As others have also said though get the finance company involved soonest

Ah yes I hadn’t considered the legal protection aspect - good point.
Still think another go first at the dealer ( in writing by email using some of the points made above ) and perhaps cc’ing the Finance company.

[The big yin]

I would try contacting

CEO [e-mail]


Telephone [phone] (Direct)
Switchboard 01628 422200
Website https://www.volvocars.com/uk
Social Media T LI

Postal Address Scandinavia House, Norreys Drive, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 4FLM

and explain you are not happy that the car has failed possibly due to a manufacturing fault
It may not do any good but if still under warranty I would be trying.
Good Luck

[Hugo Stiglitz]

alscar said:

DodgyGeezer said:

Isn't this one of the instances where the 'legal protection' option is useful? As others have also said though get the finance company involved soonest

Ah yes I hadn’t considered the legal protection aspect - good point.
Still think another go first at the dealer ( in writing by email using some of the points made above ) and perhaps cc’ing the Finance company.

Yes, again investigate all scenarios and evidence at the dealer. The legal insurance is principally there for the insurer.

It's also a whole world of cost including years of premium increases after

[alscar]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

It's also a whole world of cost including years of premium increases after

Usually it’s an add on section though and quite a few policies state a claim shouldn’t impact although individual t and c will no doubt apply and be sensible to read first.
Hopefully progress will be made without needing it.

[freedman]

Ok, small update

Still no report from the dealer

Contrary to what I was initially told the Warranty is 3rd party ( but provided through a Volvo main dealer)

Finance is through Volvo, and he will be calling them tomorrow

That kind you for the help and suggestions so far

Don’t think his insurance will cover unless he says he it was flooded in his ownership, which it hadn’t been so that’s not an option as far as I can see. TBH I don’t know why the dealer told him to call his insurers.

Unfortunately he’s smart enough but pretty clueless when it comes to cars. I wouldn’t have called my insurers in the first place

[Muzzer79]

freedman said:

. TBH I don’t know why the dealer told him to call his insurers.

That is indeed fishy and smacks of them just wanting to kick the can down the road.

Water ingress in a specific area is not a flood therefore the insurance company won’t get involved.