V70 D5 Service dilemma

My V70 D5 is due for a 36000 mile service this month (although it has only done 31000 miles the 12 month interval is up) and I'm unsure as to have it serviced by a Franchised dealer as I did last year at a cost of £289 which was basically an oil change and check over!

I have been quoted £386 for this years service at Bells of Northampton which I think is getting a bit pricey. Phoned Volvo customer service and was told that it can be serviced elsewhere as long as Volvo parts are used and the service schedule is followed but to check with Volvo warranty first who the told me that I have to go to an Approved Franchised dealer to keep the warranty in tact. Is this true?

I have since contacted Prestigecarservicing.com who quote £129 + VAT and assure me that it does not have to be serviced by an approved dealer but does need to follow the schedule and use genuine parts.

Can anyone tell me where I stand as regarding my warranty and servicing dilemma? I don't want to save a couple of hundred pounds now only to get bitten in the future should something go wrong but I also don't have money to throw around just for a Volvo service stamp.

Look forward to any replies and advice

Mark

[S60-MBS]

Hi Mark...to keep the warranty you dont have to use a volvo main stealer...all you need a Vat registered garage and use Volvo approved parts..indeed main dealer servicing is very expensive for the D5..my last service cost nearly £300...considering they only changed the oil and filters thats a rip-off...try searching on the forum for comments about Prestige car servicing i put up a thread about them not too long ago and a found a few useful comments..but personally i wont be using them....i am surprised Bells of Northampton is still around as Stratstones seems to be taking over all the Volvo dealers..
Another thing to remember is when you give your car in for a service to volvo main dealer they tend to carry out work on your car which they wont mention to you ie recall work...i recently discovered my 2003YM S60 D5 has had all sorts done to it..but on no occasion was it mentioned to me..my mate who has a 54 plate S40 had his windscreen,handbrake and drop links worked on with no mention..
cheers
Mo

[S60-MBS]

Just to add heres the linky to comments about Prestige car servicing..

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...+car+servicing

Thanks for that, I have now booked it in to our local garage who agree with what you say and who also service similar aged Volvos at a cost af £150 +VAT.

Since owning a D5 I think they are fantastic cars and would not go back to owning the previous overated German cars I've had but the dealer service costs are high which would make me think twice about buying another Volvo or recommending to a friend.

Thanks again

Mark

[cumbrianmale]

This OFT release explains a bit about the removal of the servicing ties to warranties.

[John_C]

Just make sure you get a fully itemised invoice detailing what parts were replaced, that they were replaced with genuine volvo parts and that the work was done to the Volvo service schedule.

i.e. don't give the b******s a chance to worm their way out of a warranty claim, because you can bet they will try

Cheers,
J

Thanks again for the advice, I'll do that.

Mark

My 2004 D5 is also due for a 36k service, on miles however, not on years.

The last couple of services have been at the main dealer in Stockport and were not cheap, although at the time that was a price I was prepared to pay for maintaing the warranty.

However, I too understand that it is not necessary to service the car at a main dealer, providing the schedule is followed and Volvo parts are used.

With this in mind I am thinking of using Shipham Motors in Shipham (2 miles from Cheddar) in Somerset near to where I now live. They are Volvo specialists and appear very profesional. Has anyone had any dealings with the company - if so feedback would be appreciated, as would any other advice that you may have to offer.

Thanks!