V40 XC suspension repairs under Volvo Selekt warranty issues

[11JSD]

Hi all. I hope this is the best place to post this. I was looking for people's opinions on what repairs should be done, or if Volvo have done all that they should. Below is what I have sent as an email to the dealer I purchased it from, the dealer doing the work, and Volvo UK. Sorry it's a bit long!

My Volvo V40 Cross Country, purchased from Volvo dealer in the midlands in October 2023, has recently undergone suspension repairs under the Volvo Selekt warranty. The work so far has taken place at a London Volvo dealer.

On June 10th 2024, some part of the nearside front suspension failed. The car was picked up by Volvo Assistance and taken to London Volvo for diagnosis.

My understanding is that various parts of the suspension were found to have failed, or were about to fail, during repairs. The warranty provided by Volvo Selekt agreed to pay for the repairs required. I believe this included spring, top mount, lower arm, maybe more.

I was invited to collect my car on June 22nd, after being informed all repairs had been completed, as well as major service I had requested, and at my expense.

After driving for less than half a mile I was convinced that the car wasn’t right, and drove it back to London Volvo, reporting the car was pulling quite hard to the right. After waiting a while I was told the tracking was all ok, but if anything the car should be pulling to the left…….I can assure you it wasn’t.

My first concern is, after having had suspension repairs carried out, nobody had road tested the car before I drove it. Should a road test not be carried out after repairs, or even a service?

The car was then kept by the dealer over the weekend, and it was reported to me yesterday the problem had been identified. Apparently the problem is that the spring on the offside is not a standard Volvo spring. This car was bought through Volvo Selekt.

I was also informed that the warranty company/Volvo Selekt are not willing to rectify the problem, and I’ve been invited to come back and ‘try the car’, since some adjustments have been made.

Having a car repaired, and it being returned to me on mismatched suspension parts isn’t what I imagined I was buying into when buying a car from Volvo Selekt.

Do you feel this is a satisfactory solution, and the car is now at the level required by Volvo Selekt? Is it not a possible safety concern?

Given that it’s been suggested the remedial works are relatively minor, i.e. replacing parts on the offside to match the nearside, I am surprised that the Volvo network would consider giving the car back to me in such a way.

I am requesting that a solution be found to return the car to me with a suspension setup that Volvo Selekt would be happy to sell a car with.

I have already spent considerable time organising and collecting rental/courtesy cars and traveling to London Volvo, that I am now reluctant to go and ‘try the car’ again, knowing that it isn’t right, I'm not an expert, and worried that safety could be compromised.

I look forward to hearing your suggestions for a solution.