Uneasy feeling -extended warranty and V60 phev

[Tober]

My V60 PHEV MY2017, mysteriously failed last Thursday (brake system failure) and had to be recovered to my local Volvo dealer, where it has remained for the last 7 days.
I was feeling reassured that it was covered by a 2 year extended warranty purchased through the Volvo dealer when the car went for its 3 year service. The car is a few months over 4 years old with circa 35k miles on the clock and no issues up to now.
The diagnosis so far is unclear but of greater concern is the indication from the dealer that the extended warranty might not cover cabling faults. Of lesser importance - no replacement car offered up to now. The extended warranty allows for 10 days like for like cover.
I am hopeful that it will be resolved and the faults rectified but I am starting to feel uneasy about things. Just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience either with the extended warranty being honoured and/or a PHEV experiencing a sudden failure?
Thank you
Tober

[ridax]

What did the dash and dtc say? My D6 Phev lit ABS, DSTC service required and refused to use electric engine. Solved by replacing one ABS sensor, brake hydraulic pump, BCM and wire harness.. Don't know exactly which part did the trick but I think bcm.

[Mick787]

Tober, we had a BMW i3 REX. Once it's manufacturers 3 year warranty expired it was then down to buying an extended warranty or taking the risk. Once I heard about a REX unit in an I3 car failing with a cost to replace being £10k. A warranty had to be in place. The cheapest cost of that warranty extension for one year with BMW was £718 per year. We weren't expecting that! So we got rid of the car and reverted to a conventional petrol engined city car for local use with the XC60 diesel for longer runs.
There will be many people who find themselves in a similar situation in the years ahead. That is of no comfort I know, but the hidden cost of repair etc is never spoken about.
If you are feeling uneasy, as we were with the I3, then there is another option.

[Tober]

Originally Posted by ridax

What did the dash and dtc say? My D6 Phev lit ABS, DSTC service required and refused to use electric engine. Solved by replacing one ABS sensor, brake hydraulic pump, BCM and wire harness.. Don't know exactly which part did the trick but I think bcm.

The dash reported brake system failure first and proceeded to say ABS, Park Assist failure etc later. The car was completely immobilised. Hoping that they can resolve it and the extended warranty covers it. The diagnostics are so far inconclusive. Thanks

[Tober]

Originally Posted by Mick787

Tober, we had a BMW i3 REX. Once it's manufacturers 3 year warranty expired it was then down to buying an extended warranty or taking the risk. Once I heard about a REX unit in an I3 car failing with a cost to replace being £10k. A warranty had to be in place. The cheapest cost of that warranty extension for one year with BMW was £718 per year. We weren't expecting that! So we got rid of the car and reverted to a conventional petrol engined city car for local use with the XC60 diesel for longer runs.
There will be many people who find themselves in a similar situation in the years ahead. That is of no comfort I know, but the hidden cost of repair etc is never spoken about.
If you are feeling uneasy, as we were with the I3, then there is another option.

Yes Mick that’s a fair observation. I opted to take the 2 year extended warranty at the 3 year point and continue to hope that it will cover whatever is required. As the dealer points out, at this stage they don’t know what is wrong with it. I just get an uneasy feeling at any hint that the warranty might not cover it. I ask myself is wiring outside what is defined as electrical/mechanical sudden failure?

[Mick787]

I understand Tober. Insurance/warranty terms and conditions have so many 'get out' clauses, you must be very worried. The prospect of facing the cost to repair despite having spent out on the warranty. It really is a minefield.
At some point in time you will be faced with the choice of extending it again.
Because we are of an age where we rely purely on pensions for income, we knew we would not be able to afford the astronomical costs involved in a warranty on the I3 so we thought it best to get rid before it lost even more money and buy something that can be repaired anywhere and at a low cost.
In a short time such cars wont be available and all road users will be faced with having to rent a car rather than own a car and then the industry really has got full control over the motorist because people simply wont be able to afford to have a car repaired.

[Tober]

You know Mick that’s exactly the thought process I am going through. Assuming that the warranty is honoured, come November it expires, so some decisions to be made. Going forward I am more and more inclined to think in terms of lease/rental just to minimise the risks and one-off servicing costs. Control is an interesting aspect. One thing is for sure, much and all as I like the look of the XC40 recharge, £999 per month subscription is a price too far.

[Mick787]

The problem with rental is that the rents will go up unless you progressively go to a cheaper car! The problem with outright ownership of the older car is parts availability.
The consumer is completely at the 'beck and call' of the manufacturer unless you live in an area where public transport is reliable and plentiful.

[Tober]

On the last point, definitely not. Accessible public transport is almost non-existent

[Deck1ng]

So is there a case here for buying our last petrol/diesel car on Dec 29th 2029. There should/will be plenty of parts around and the skills to repair. I would hope plenty of fuel available too. By the time battery vehicles come into my price range the battery’s will be goosed. I don’t really want to join those queues of cars in forecourts trying to get to their journeys end either.
Public transport is a joke in North Yorkshire and it isn’t going to get better especially out of the big cities.