I've never had a Volvo before, but I took delivery of a Volvo S40 2.0 diesel in April.
I've just had a letter from the supplying dealer inviting me to purchase a "contract" which covers the cost of the next 3 services (the service interval is 12,500 miles).
The amount they would like me to pay up front for 3 services is
wait for it
£1,203.74 !!!!!!! (Yes one thousand two hundred pounds !! )
They would like me to pay £42 per month starting now - so one would have already paid them nearly £500 before they have actually put a spanner on it!
Actually their admin is carp because it's a contract lease car and all servicing is paid by the lease co not me and I did order and collect the car through the self same dealer so they should know this.
I'm not really familiar with the technical aspect of this car but having looked under the bonnet during the usual weekly checks and noting that it's fitted with the PSA diesel unit as used in Focus,307,407,C5,Mazda3 etc etc I would imagine the 1st service is an oil change plus the usual checks, the 2nd probably adds an air filter and brake fliud change, and the 3rd (at 37500 miles) as per the 1st plus maybe a fuel filter.
I expect any pricey item like coolant change etc occurs at 50,000 miles - which is beyond that covered by this offer - a similar situation existed with my wife's MINI whereby 50,000 of servicing costs were included in a service contract which conveniently ended just before the most expensive Inspection 2 service at 55,000 miles. in fairness though the Mini contract cost £100 compared to the Volvo £1.203.74.
Does anyone actually go for these Volvo deals
Jacks
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Honda charged me 800 quid for five years servicing in March 09 - cracking value. Just had it serviced at a nearer Dealer with no issues and no bill.
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Im afraid if you buy a prestige car, you get service prices to match. An average of £400 per service isnt alot these days. Surely you investigated this before you bought the car anyway?
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It's leased Stu..Volvo made a mistake.
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even for a "prestige" car (its not) 400 quid per service is a lot of money.
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They can ask but you don't need to pay.
Definitely they do get some customers who pay that much.
Else they would have reduced the figure.
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That's twice what I pay for my car to be main dealer serviced, and mine includes an MOT.
Thanks, Mr Jacks. Volvo now removed from my shortlist of potential replacements for my current motor.
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>> Surely you investigated this before you
>> bought the car anyway?
>>
As PU pointed out - It's leased and I'm not paying merely offering up for discussion what an inflated cost Volvo charge and how cheeky it is to want to start collecting payment a year before any such service is even due.
And - as Zero also points out it's not a presige car (or even a prestige badge any more given the Volvo ownership) just a model based on the Focus floorplan and std PSA engine.
As a user/chooser - but not buyer - it was that or the 1.6 diesel Golf S which was too basic, couldn't have the SE, so went for the Volvo (more kit, safer, better seats and bigger boot) as a "change".
Anyway - off to Italy this evening for a holiday, driving through Switzerland etc and back via Black Forest, Luxembourg so we'll see how the Volvo measures up on this fairly long trip.
Cheers Jacks
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£370 for a major service on my Vectra at a Vauxhall Dealership, and that included a new set of rear pads and a MOT - i nearly had a heart attack
Although it would have not been much cheaper at my local trusted indie, and im not taking it to place that fits quickly that advertised a Service and MOT From £99, becasue at least i know that genuine parts have been used and to the correct spec
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Jacks, was the price offered just for basic servicing or was it all inclusive with replacement of all wearable components?
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Never paid more than £350 for a service in the five years I've been paying my own bills for the S60. Not especially cheap, but I'm happy with the dealer and the work they do so it seems like reasonable value to me.
We did take out a three-year service plan with Toyota when we bought the Verso in 2008, but the amount involved then was something under £700, which compared favourably with the published dealer rates at the time and gets us three services, up to 2011, at 2008 prices.
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>> Never paid more than £350 for a service ...........
For £350 at my local franchised dealer I'm getting my Focus serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's schedule, brake fluid changed, new rear discs and pads, plus MOT.
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I always check the servicing schedule and pricing (with a couple of dealers) before buying a car and if I'd been told £1200 for 3 yrs/3 service then I wouldn't buy the car.
BMW do 5yrs/60K on a 6cyl 5 Series for £350.
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Volvo servicing is expensive at a main dealer. When I had my S60, I remember wincing at some of the invoices in the service history. There were a couple around the £300 mark, but most were the wrong side of £500, and one (96k major / timing belt) was a whisker under £900.
I think this, combined with their longevity is the reason Volvo seems to have a bigger independent specialist market than other makes. It's one thing when the car is new and they have you by the short and curlies, but second and third owners just aren't going to pay that kind of money for routine work.
WillDeBeest - the last owner of my S60 would have killed for bills like that.
Last edited by: DP on Tue 15 Jun 10 at 20:53
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>> Volvo servicing is expensive at a main dealer. When I had my S60, I remember
>> wincing at some of the invoices in the service history. There were a couple around
>> the £300 mark, but most were the wrong side of £500, and one (96k major
>> / timing belt) was a whisker under £900.
>> I think this, combined with their longevity is the reason Volvo seems to have a
>> bigger independent specialist market than other makes.
>>
The above explains why I pulled out of dealer servicing this time.
I had a 60k service, timing belt ,poly-v belt, new tensioner all new filters. £456 all in by a Volvo specialist in Nottingham who knows his stuff.
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To within a pound or two that's what I paid for the equivalent service on mine at the main dealer, Gmac.
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I was quoted £400 just for the 60k service by a Volvo main dealer.
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My gf just got quoted £210 for a first 12.5k service on a Mazda 2 from the local dealer she bought the car from. She's voted with her feet - she has just arranged a 'main dealer spec' service with another local dealer via BlackCircles.com, costing £105!
I will report back, she's having it this Fri. If it goes to plan though, that's a massive saving.
Usual disclaimer, no ties to BlackCircles etc.
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It's funny how we get wound up about servicing costs (I certainly do) but one of my neighbours paid over £200 to have his lawnmower serviced!
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>> It's funny how we get wound up about servicing costs (I certainly do) but one
>> of my neighbours paid over £200 to have his lawnmower serviced!
>>
I buy a £125 petrol mower, change oil & plug - if it is bigger than that bin it and buy a new one.
Years ago I was paying £50/60 per service every 2 years or so but now even £50 does not pay for a "service" despite the cost of the lawnmowers falling dramatically.
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Not sure I would classify the S40 as 'prestige'…Rather have a Mondeo myself.
I don't like these service packages anymore than I like after-market warranties. I recently declined one from our local Ford dealer. Basically it's an insurance. You're gambling the service will cost more than £400 (so you 'profit') and the garage are gambling that it costs less…
I've always followed the 'self insure' method, unless a potential payout could be crippling. I've always maintained that a Pound in my pocket is better than in someone else's. I'm generally quite cynical and take the view that garages don't sell these packages for fun. They do it to make money which is fair enough, but don't think you're getting something for nothing.
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Its Focus with another badge how on earth can you call it prestige not even built at the Volvo factory.
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What is Ghent if it is not a Volvo factory ? Focus is made in Germany at Saarlouis.
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>> Its Focus with another badge how on earth can you call it prestige not even
>> built at the Volvo factory.
????? so where on earth are you saying the car is built then................?
Last edited by: R40 on Sat 19 Jun 10 at 20:32
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>> I don't like these service packages anymore than I like after-market warranties. I
>> recently declined one from our local Ford dealer.
Surely no one would turn down the BMW 5 Series deal for 5yrs/60K for £350, or even the VW Golf 3yr deal for £250?
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I bought three years servicing with the CC3 for, I think, about £350.
Seemed worthwhile if not the world's biggest bargain.
Not sure I'd want five years, bit too much of a tie, even though I might well keep the car that long.
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Volvo servicing overpriced and cheeky with it! - R.P.
