Volvo XC60 - VOLVO CHARGES FOR FORD PARTS

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 11:22
Volvo XC60 - VOLVO CHARGES FOR FORD PARTS - Mr. Smith

I purchased a Volvo XC60 2.4 diesel recently with a full Volvo service record, when it was 3 years old with 60,000 miles on the odometer. Last month the car developed a random, intermittent, 'non-starting' fault. Despite diagnostic tests, the cause remained unsolved. However, after the inconvenience of a number of random refusals to start over the following weeks, the problem was isolated to the fuel pump assembly in the diesel tank. A replacement assembly is only obtainable from Volvo. Faced with no alternative, I purchased one from my local dealership, at a cost of £345.60. During the replacement process I saw that part of the original assembly was marked as a Ford part and the new assembly had a Ford format part number. Subsequent research suggests that 'Ford' diesel pumps, especially on the Focus, after some 50,000 miles can develop a known problem: intermittent failure to start. However, a replacement from a Ford dealership costs just over £100. I am disappointed to find: 1. Volvo using a fuel pump assembly from Ford which has a known issue, & 2. Volvo charging 3 times the price for essentially the same part. I contacted Volvo to see if, in view of the circumstances, they might make a contribution to the cost of the pump - I have the invoice for the new one and the original is available for their inspection. They were totally unsympathetic and tried to justify the price difference with all sorts of excuses with just weren't credible. Is it unreasonable of me to think I've been ripped off?

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 11:48
Volvo XC60 - VOLVO CHARGES FOR FORD PARTS - skidpan

Many Volvo's (including the XC60 - only found out last week) are Fords in disguise, the XC60 is a Mondeo.

About 6 years ago when I was planning a change of car I had the C30 on the short list. I was well aware it was a Focus in a fancy frock but the car suited my needs, drove well and good deals were available. Being a tight sod I always consider the full cost of ownership before buying and the wife having had a Focus for 3 years at the time we felt that servicing was good value, the first 3 had cost us approx £500 including the first MOT. When I asked about servicing on the C30 the cost for the first 3 services was quoted as £1200. The garage was very reluctant to disclose what extra works they carried out compared to Ford on the mechanically identical Focus, turned out they were reluctant for a good reason, there was no extra work.

After some negotiation they agreed to include the first 3 services in the deal, then they added £1200 to the cost to change. Bought a BMW.

The Volvo garage is not there anymore, wonder why.

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 14:21
Volvo XC60 - VOLVO CHARGES FOR FORD PARTS - RT

Where premium cars have been built using a mainstream platform - don't automatically assume that the premium brand pard are more expensive than the mainstream ones - when Saab started building cars based on the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra a number of parts were cheaper to buy at Saab dealers than Vauxhall - there is no consistency so do your research.

There can be similar situations on Hyundai and Kia parts.

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 14:59
Volvo XC60 - VOLVO CHARGES FOR FORD PARTS - 659FBE

Volvo parts have never been cheap, but in the pre-Ford days the vehicles were durable and the overall parts requirement fairly modest. The vehicles were also simple (crude?) by current standards.

A current Volvo is a sophisticated machine, so designed in order to compete with its rivals. The market penetration of the brand is fairly low and there is consequently little competition in the form of pattern parts or specialist independents (although there are some).

The possibility of using the brand as an after-sales cash cow by its current owners may, in my view, be too good for them to miss. My observations suggest that this practice is occuring and that if you choose this product, you need to examine carefully the source of parts and labour in order to keep costs in line. The process may be more trouble than the perceived advantages of the brand suggest.

As an owner of a "rubbish badge" VAG product, I find the worldwide market penetration of its running gear to be such that the choice of spares is astonishingly wide - from China upwards. Obviously, you buy with care, but competition has the magic effect of keeping the OE parts prices down. I have found that the cost of service spares and the very few replacement parts needed for this vehicle has been unexpectedly low.

I have made a further comment on the D5 engine in "Technical".

659.

Edited by 659FBE on 22/01/2014 at 15:04

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 16:54
Volvo XC60 - VOLVO CHARGES FOR FORD PARTS - Mr. Smith

Thanks for your replies folks. There's a recurring theme, isn't there? Trouble is, I love the car and I'll see how durable it proves. If too many parts need replacing then it'll have to go, but I'm hoping it will stand me in good stead. Watch this space....

Regards to all, Mr. Smith

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