XC60 B5 MHEV - returned to garage after two days

[Stan79]

Hi,

It's my first post here, so I hope I'm doing everything right; open to correction if not

I recently bought a B5 MHEV (diesel) to replace my poor old lovely D5 that got washed away in Storm Babet. I went for one with all the options - B&W sound, air suspension, panoramic sunroof. I tracked one down at Waylands (Oxford) and after a couple of weeks faffing around - they couldn't deliver it because it was a sales day, then they had to get 'some new parts,' which they didn't clarify, it arrived on Friday.

It was beautiful - bursting blue, black trim, shiny, powerful. It was dark so I told the salesman I'd examine it on Saturday, and confirm happy receipt via email. Saturday came and I noticed that at the back of the glove box there was a tacky, wet patch; essentially melted plastic. Hmm. Next day, I took it out with my partner and we noticed that the temperature on the dash read -13. This was on a day when it was 15C. Again, we registered it and I started to put together a short email to Waylands outlining these two issues. That evening, I took the car out and when I came back, there was smoke coming from underneath the bonnet; it smelt a 'bit burny' and I took two videos. I sent them to my partner who said, 'right, do not drive it! Ring Waylands immediately.' I did and they told me to take it into my local branch, who have been absolutely amazing; lots of out of hours emails sent, and it's on the ramps now.

Putting aside the not-too-great service from Waylands for a moment, does anyone have any idea of what this could be? The car is warrantied up to the hilt, so I'm grateful I don't have to worry about cost, but I am worried about what's gone on with it. I'm also considering rejecting the car as I'm rather alarmed about smoke from the engine - it's only four years old, and is at 46,000 miles; nothing excessive.

Thanks in advance

[volvosam]

I can't quite believe that you are even remotely considering keeping the car.
I would be running a mile.
It sounds like you bought it under distance selling rules so you have 14 days to return for a refund - you don't even have to justify why you have changed your mind, although in this case it would be fairly easy.....

[Billstates]

I hope Waylands can provide you with a comprehensive explanation of what went wrong and a satisfactory resolution to the issues you've encountered. Fingers crossed for a swift and positive outcome.

[Stan79]

Originally Posted by volvosam

I can't quite believe that you are even remotely considering keeping the car.
I would be running a mile.
It sounds like you bought it under distance selling rules so you have 14 days to return for a refund - you don't even have to justify why you have changed your mind, although in this case it would be fairly easy.....

Hmm, I don't disagree. They've taken it back and seem to be invested in 'making things right,' but both the service manager and the general manager told me that they needed to 'wait until the engine cooled down,' following its return. I asked whether they meant it had overheated? They were both quick to say no. There was an external temperature sensor replaced in its Selekt inspection last month that has since failed again. They want me to take the car back, then arrange 'additional goodwill.' Personally, I don't want the car near to the county's borders before they've at least doubled the warranty length, and had it inspected by an independent Volvo specialist.

Problem is the spec - B&W, air suspension, the works. They don't seem to come up very often. But I'll let that go if I have to. I'm just so surprised that it came to me in this state, and despite their assurances that it was fine to drive back, I don't believe a single word of it. I will raise the point that they don't want me to reject the car and have an additional keeper on its record, one who lasted about two weeks

[volvosam]

Your call and of course they'll be doing everything that they can to persuade you to keep the car.
If it were me, for a fault condition like that I would send it straight back and find something else. Having a problem with a mechanical component is one thing but smoke and fire risk is a whole different world of risk / consequences.

[unseen]

I think if you lost all confidence in the car it will always be at the back of your mind that it might go bang. Maybe better to walk away now......