Servicing your Volvo

[chudbond007]

My 3 year warranty will shortly expire. I was wondering what you guys do about servicing your Volvo after 3 years ownership? Can't decide whether to buy the service plan offered by my local main dealer (£29 per month for 28 months for a 3 year service plan) or use a local independent Volvo specialist.

[Paul Wildsmith]

I'd have the dealer service at least for another year, that way if any faults arise you'll be in with a chance for a Volvo 'contribution' to get it fixed outside of the warranty. I've had this several times in the past (once at 90% of the cost).

[GJB]

Originally Posted by Paul Wildsmith

I'd have the dealer service at least for another year, that way if any faults arise you'll be in with a chance for a Volvo 'contribution' to get it fixed outside of the warranty. I've had this several times in the past (once at 90% of the cost).

Agree 100% keep with Volvo dealer as suggested if you have a problem,also you get updates on car systems .

[GusGecko]

I've historically just paid a main dealer year after year, negotiating prices, using VOC 'discount' etc but will probably look into the service plan - due for its service soon.

I treated my last car well anyway, but regardless, it was always serviced by Volvo main dealers, I had a few issues but Volvo seemed more open to contribute to some of the problems which may not have happened otherwise.... I covered 127,000 miles in 7 years. With no major issues.

You also get European breakdown cover, software updates and (hopefully) expertise...

[chudbond007]

How does the service plan cost sound to everyone? Initially I thought it was a bit expensive but it averages out at around £270 per service - good value?

[TimS]

Just had my 4-year V70 service £497 quid (including recommended brake fluid change costing £60-something) in Ipswich. £270 sounds quite good if it's the same for the first 5.

[Joggern]

For me, I'd stick full dealer until at least 5yrs or 100,000 miles as then you can sell the car on as Volvo Approved Used meaning you (might) get a slightly better price for it.

And as has been mentioned already, you get system & satnav updates as well as breakdown service thrown in.

[Considered1]

Some good advice from my dealer service chap this week.
Basically they have a plan A and a Plan B, both same price but plan A Covers more but is only for cars <5yrs and <60,000 miles, after this you would have to take plan B.
So advice for me at 3yrs and 40k is to extend by 1yr £399 so that next year I'll still be under 60k and to then extend for a further 3 yrs (max) all on plan A.

[The Thong]

I use two dealerships and both give me a competitive price and a good service. I took my car into the dealer to sort out an advisory that was on my last mot. At this point they could have charged Thongy for two suspension units..... No, I got a phone call telling me that they didn't need doing, the corrosion was normal for this particular component and there was nooooo charge for the inspection carried out. Thank you chaps for that, they're a decent dealer in my books plus they rushed my motor though after a wheelbearing failure so I could get away on holiday on time. When I had Land rove I used specialists are the faffing that used to happen was shocking along with the state of their work quality. I find with the dealers it's a simple this is how much it's going to cost and it's gets done on time.... I'm happy to pay the extra for that level of service.

TT

[scoobysn7x]

I've always used Volvo independant garages, I had a good choice when I lived in Glasgow Voltch and Volvomax, both brilliant used volvo parts but were a lot cheaper than a Volvo dealerships. Now I managed to find a good local volvo specialist in Newcastle so I use them now.

As an example got a price for a service on my C30 D3 from volvo was about £220/240+vat, same service using genuine volvo parts, same service schedule from the the local Indy £114+vat, same with the V60 quoted £210+vat on an offer for a just a basic service from volvo, went to the local indy £195 + vat for the same basic Service and the Aux belt change.

Unless its under warranty I really don't see the point in using a main dealer, even then most warranty allow you to use non main dealer garages as long as genuine parts are used.

Dealers generally take a bigger mark up on the parts & fluid and have a much hire hourly rate, sure the indy I use is anout £45 an hour and volvo can be £100+ an hour