Service Issues: Service Plan on new XC40

[RichXC40]

I recently took delivery of a leased Volvo XC40. I sourced the deal via a broker so had no input into the selection of a finance provider beyond agreeing to their terms over four years.

This is my second XC40 via the broker but due to cost I opted to arrange servicing via a service plan rather than including it with the lease.

The car arrived and I was offered a service plan via the supplying dealer. I bought it , paying in full. The dealer then told me Volvo UK had rejected the arrangement as I did not qualify - and so my money was refunded. Volvo UK said that the fleet code indicated a that the vehicle was part of a large fleet and so was excluded from the plan. I assume they regard the financing company as a competitor and so wish to make life difficult for leasing customers who don't lease via Volvo. They have offered me another plan but at a much higher price, which is not acceptable to me.

As I am a sole trader, I have a fleet of one vehicle. I consider that Volvo's view that I am an ineligible to buy the plan, since it is available to other members of the public, amounts to unfair discrimination so I am raising an official complaint.

I'd be interested to know if others have come across this problem and what they did about it,

[techwatcher]

I haven't checked the Ts and Cs but this could be because in Volvo's eyes you are a business user (albeit with a fleet of 1) and the service plan is only available to personal users.

If this is the case it isn't unfair discrimination, it's just the Terms of the offer.

[RichXC40]

Originally Posted by techwatcher

I haven't checked the Ts and Cs but this could be because in Volvo's eyes you are a business user (albeit with a fleet of 1) and the service plan is only available to personal users.

If this is the case it isn't unfair discrimination, it's just the Terms of the offer.

I wondered about this but there are no t's and c's on their website which relate to eligibility for service plans. If there are such t's and c's, then they need to be made known when a new vehicle order is placed, which they weren't. Service plans are listed on the Volvo website as being available for business customers but not with any exclusions stated. I'll update this thread when I get an outcome for the complaint.