Software update only at the dealer

[TeamG]

Do Volvo dealers offer a software update only option in their service centres? If so, roughly how much should this cost and how long does it take?

I’d expect the cost to them would be about 10-15 mins to set the thing downloading, then leave the car until it’s done.

[green van man]

They do, but expect to be royalty shafted .
It's £80 just to connect to the computer at my dealers and prices vary dependant on location.

For instance polestar takes less than 10 minuets to install, retail price is £880.

Software updates are free with a service, last week I paid £285 for a service and air con re gas. Software updates are the reason my car gets dealer serviced, all other work I do myself.

I would expect to pay at least the hourly rate for an update only.
Bear in mind the licence to talk to Sweden to be able to do the updates alone is £2500 a year cost to the dealer without any associated hardware and training costs.

There are some independants that can do it but given the standing costs I would not expect them to be much cheaper.

I looked at genuine vida dice, £1200 IF volvo will sell it to you plus the £2500 annual licence to use it. Makes Snap On look cheap.

Paul.

[reggit]

Hmm, might just break my rule and book my ‘new’ car into Volvo for its service. Was going to DIY as usual, however the oil and filter is coming in at just under £100 from Opie which is already 1/3 of the service price, and ideally I want the headlights fixed (so they go off on the switch). The car hasn’t been near Volvo since late 2010 looking at its history, so there may we’ll be some updates to some of the modules (car is a late 2009).

[Whyman]

You also get12 months Volvo Assist with the service which saves you having to have breakdown cover.

[TeamG]

I have three cars, so breakdown cover needs to be multi-car rather than linked to just one. I’ve always serviced myself, it’s just the software update that may be useful.

I contacted Volvo Cardiff this morning to ask about the software update price. The girl at the service desk couldn’t answer, so she will get someone to call me back.....

[TeamG]

After a couple of calls (Volvo Cardiff didn’t get back to me as promised), they confirmed that the service software updates are £61 per car. What they couldn’t tell me is what the updates provide (and therefore whether it’s worth having).

[V70Zig]

Until they connect it up it's anyone's guess as to "updates". A bit like a pc that will automatically update when available......but it's already connected to the net....the car is not....hope you get my drift..........

[TeamG]

Therein lies the conundrum.

My 2011 V70 has probably not seen an update since it was 2 years old, but it’s working fine and nothing seems amiss. Therefore, updates may be out there but does it actually need them if it’s worked that long without (and it’s fairly basic). They’ve also been around for a while with no obvious known issues solved by a software update.

My 2017 XC60 has more electronics, more complex parts (D4 AWD auto vs 1.6 DRIVe manual above), so probably more critical items to update and manage efficiently. It’s not seen a dealer in 2 yrs though, so less time for common issues to be known and updated. Maybe worth waiting until there is a known benefit that is within an update.

[Tatsfield]

The update procedure is run from Volvo's mainframe and the dealer has no idea what it is doing. He just connects the car and leaves Volvo to download the updates. I do use Volvo for a once a year service where they provided the softweare updates but they do also they give me a years Volvo recovery service which would cost the best part of £100 for the equivalent from one of the established recovery companies. It includes European travel as well but this year that is not going to be of any consequence!

[Kev0607]

How long do Volvo continue support in regards to software updates on older cars I wonder, or would anyone happen to know? You'd imagine on a car that's over 10 years old as an example that there wouldn't be many updates required, if its been dealer serviced since new or at an Independent Volvo garage that has the equipment to do it.