Volvo launches free puncture and windscreen repairs

[Kugaman1]

Originally Posted by wearywilly

Not necessarily, I had two stone chips in my direct view of the road when driving the car. I called and the dealer fixed it FOC. I also found out I have free MOT's for the vehicle when taken to the dealer. I asked if the work had to be completed at the dealer and the answer was no, but any work must be completed by an authorised Volvo garage.

Why must it be done at an authorised Volvo garage? Unless you have extended warranty theres no point in going to Volvo for anything unless very specialist work that needs Volvo software.

[Belstow]

My local Kwik Fit are great - never had a problem when dealing with them for my wife's car, son's car or my various cars. I suppose it depends upon where your local outfit is.

[arcascomp]

I've had 2 punctures repaired so far on this. 2007 XC70 so not their 'ideal customer'

First one I rocked up and when they initially said they couldn't do it that day, I pointed out Volvo's "while you wait" promise. They then decided they could do it that day, could I come back by 5pm? As my work is quite close to the dealers, I didn't feel the need to push the other comment made by Volvo, "If we can't repair while you wait, the dealer will discuss your onward travel" Probably could have pushed for a demonstrator or something, but wasn't worth the effort.

Second time was a slow puncture, so no hurry, phoned up and got appointment 2 days following - still no loan vehicle, but again, not really worth me pushing for it, given the short distances involved for me.

All in all, an excuse to survey my car and tell me my nivomat on one side is leaking, would Sir like that fixed for circa £2000? Would I hell! when it stops working, I'll sort that myself.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by arcascomp

I've had 2 punctures repaired so far on this. 2007 XC70 so not their 'ideal customer'

First one I rocked up and when they initially said they couldn't do it that day, I pointed out Volvo's "while you wait" promise. They then decided they could do it that day, could I come back by 5pm? As my work is quite close to the dealers, I didn't feel the need to push the other comment made by Volvo, "If we can't repair while you wait, the dealer will discuss your onward travel" Probably could have pushed for a demonstrator or something, but wasn't worth the effort.

Second time was a slow puncture, so no hurry, phoned up and got appointment 2 days following - still no loan vehicle, but again, not really worth me pushing for it, given the short distances involved for me.

All in all, an excuse to survey my car and tell me my nivomat on one side is leaking, would Sir like that fixed for circa £2000? Would I hell! when it stops working, I'll sort that myself.

I find Volvo HQ and Volvo cars decent enough (based on experience and word of mouth).

But the dealers are really not too good. I could just see Volvo U.K. rolling this out then the dealers saying ‘we can’t stop repairing customers cars just because someone drops in’. And of course they won’t have people waiting there to do the job.

I fear with Volvos strong sales and image, whilst it is great to see, that customer care will start to go out the window.

Look at Landrover for example. Everyone wants a Land Rover so much that they can afford to make products that are at the bottom of relibility surveys as people will continue to buy.

If Kia did that no one would purchase them.

[techwatcher]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

I could just see Volvo U.K. rolling this out then the dealers saying ‘we can’t stop repairing customers cars just because someone drops in’. And of course they won’t have people waiting there to do the job.

Dealers may not have much choice if they are to meet Volvo's commitments under this service; having a small amount of spare capacity is the only way of doing it.

[Wizzpop]

This isn't a criticism of the dealer. I had a puncture when the dealer was nearby, so dropped in for a free repair. It wasn't a problem and was dealt with immediately. However it turned out the puncture was a nail right on the edge of the sidewall. I did see it so I know it wasn't repairable. So a new tyre was fitted, together with another one opposite. I then found out I had a good deal, two tyres for the price of three!
When I queried it, the service manager, who I have known for years, explained that they are obliged by Volvo to get the tyres from a specific distributor, and have no influence on the price. The only difference we could find from the tyres supplied by the likes of Kwick Fit and National Tyres, is that the Volvo supplied tyres have VOL on the sidewall. As I said the service manager, I won't be back for new tyres when the other two need replacing, which will be fairly soon. As far as I can tell VOL has no advantage whatsoever, so why the significant price difference?

[Familyman 90]

The price difference is, as explained, because they're contractually tied.

Dealers don't do nearly enough volume to be able to buy tyres in the bulk numbers required to do them at the prices to match the likes of Bodge Fit. Its a simple commercial, bulk buying, bulk discount, proposition.

[Goatherder]

So, wanted to take advantage of Volvo's "generous" free windscreen repair service.....so popped in to one dealer to ask if a small 10mm crack can be fixed. they said "no, the crack is going in the wrong direction". Seriously.
Took it to another Volvo dealer a few days later, and they took it into the workshop and said "sure, no problem, but cannot do it today....book it in for Friday". So, I did. Well in attempting to fix, the 10mm crack is now 600mm across half of the screen "oops, sorry...If you give us your insurer, we can contact them and you will just pay the excess, and we can fit on Monday". Well, said insurer will not allow Volvo to fit the glass, as it has to be Autoglass....and they cannot fit anything for 3 weeks. Mad AF now. Should have just left it.

So, moral here - read the Ts & Cs, as Volvo relinquish all responsibility for the fix. Live and learn.

[Wizzpop]

Originally Posted by Goatherder

So, wanted to take advantage of Volvo's "generous" free windscreen repair service.....so popped in to one dealer to ask if a small 10mm crack can be fixed. they said "no, the crack is going in the wrong direction". Seriously.
Took it to another Volvo dealer a few days later, and they took it into the workshop and said "sure, no problem, but cannot do it today....book it in for Friday". So, I did. Well in attempting to fix, the 10mm crack is now 600mm across half of the screen "oops, sorry...If you give us your insurer, we can contact them and you will just pay the excess, and we can fit on Monday". Well, said insurer will not allow Volvo to fit the glass, as it has to be Autoglass....and they cannot fit anything for 3 weeks. Mad AF now. Should have just left it.

So, moral here - read the Ts & Cs, as Volvo relinquish all responsibility for the fix. Live and learn.

Had same issue with Autoglass, couldn't fit replacement for nearly a month. Went back to insurer's website, was directed to National Windscreens. They fitted new screen a couple of days later. They said they didn't fit OEM screens, but mine has the Volvo logo etc on it.
As a positive, my dealers service manager has raised the issue with Volvo.

[Dancake]

Took Volvo up on this offer as I had a slow puncture and a windscreen chip. They fixed the chip, but the puncture turned out to be rim corrosion which isn't covered under the terms and conditions. I thought this was fair enough as I'd known about the corrosion beforehand, but didn't know if it was the source of the leak. Volvo also done a 34 point health check and were able to tell me all of the issues that I already knew about with no surprises. In and out in a couple of hours and not a penny spent.