Recon appears to be around £200 /£300 +vat. He said he'd have to charge around 500+vat for fitting. A local form in Gray's quoted £500+vat all fitted and flushed etc.

To me, he's supplied a vehicle that could potentially be dangerous so he should correct the issue? Cars only done 65k and I've not done 400miles since buying it. I'm going to try citizens advice bureau as I'm lacking in knowledge of civil matters

Hello Jim, Are you you by any chance a member of 'Which'? they have a good legal advice dpt. also do 'template' letters/forms. They usually do a 'taster' type months trial for a pound! only, worth a try? they certainly have the expertise to advise you.
PS.did the dealer do the current MOT in house? if so,let Which know,if talking to them.
Good luck! Regards,Keith.

I'm no expert but a steering rack going at 65k seems excessive, I'm assuming it's a new enough XC90 is the mileage is so low and I'm sure you've shelled out a lot of cash on it in that case (as in somewhere around the £10k mark depending on year)
The £600 for fitting seems a lot too, his hourly rate must be really high, is it a Volvo dealer or just a used car place? Was the other place charging £500+vat for supplying and fitting the rack?

Personally if I had spent that on a car and the steering rack was away within days I'd want it sorted or demand my £ back. Did the MOT in June show wear on the rack as an advisory?


I think citizens advice is the way to go as they'll make you aware of all your legal rights and have you in a better position for going back to him.


Good luck, hope you get it sorted dude

I'll take a look at which, good suggestion thank you!

It's a 2010 with 65k on clock. Car has full service (not main dealer but local garages). Dealer was a small company with 30 odd mid range cars. I paid over 10k.

He's received my email and is "considering his response"!

I'm not unreasonable and would pay towards but with a 3month old and 2 other kids I just can't foot the bill.

The £500+ vat was to strip the old recon and reinstall then flush system and offers 1 year warranty. They only do power steering. I fear if his garage do the work they'll fumble their way through whilst charging a premium.

I'll try and get to CAB on Monday for legal advice. I'd rather not get money back as already spent over £300 on a few bits for the car and it ticks all my boxes....apart from the fact I can't drive it.

To be clear, is the steering rack which you said was on its way out now unserviceable such that the car is dangerous and cannot be driven? If that's the case then the dealer is obligated to resolve it, no question. You should not be having to contribute, but of course the dealer can fit recon. parts at their discretion, including non OE items, provided they are serviceable.

I'm not happy driving it but it can be driven. Just takes care till warm. I'm no expert though, surely could get worse at any minute whilst driving? Going to see family 100miles away next week and considering taking the other Half's 2015 V40 and squeezing the three kids plus 2 car seats in as worried about taking the 90.

I'm still waiting on a reply to my email to the dealer. He's "considering his response" so I'm calling cab on Monday as all branches have shut down locally
It's stressing me out to be honest. I've enough on my plate without this

Have you had an inspection from another garage? Seems an obvious next step - perhaps even stick it through another MOT at your Local Authority test centre to the same effect.

While I know it’s a complete pain, keeping the option of completely rejecting the car on the table should focus minds on a positive outcome.

Could you buy a <£1000 banger in the interim to stay mobile while you get this legally sorted?

Remember you may also have access to free legal advice via your home insurance or car insurance depending on the policy, and if not a quick chat with a solicitor to get sensible legally based advice is probably only a hundred quid or so, which in the grand scheme of things is well worth it.

I've not put it through an MOT centre but had one look at it confirmed it's faulty but would make it through an MOT.

The garage I got it from emailed back today to say the car in their opinion isn't unsafe so they won't pay more than the 30%+vat.

Calling CAB in the morning see what they say.