In August 2007 the bonnet of my Volvo XC70 was written off by a large tree branch brought down by a high lorry travelling in the other direction. My insurer, More Than, eventually agreed to settle the claim and I had the choice of using their approved repairer or choosing one of my own.

I am a long time Volvo owner and loyal customer so I choose to take my car to Alan Gibson Volvo in Basingstoke. At the time I did not know that they farmed out their body work but I later found out that it was carried out by a local company called Coventry and Clark (since gone bust I think).

I was never really impressed with the repair as the paintwork was visibly different from the rest of the body under certain lighting. I did complain but got nowhere and being very busy I just gave up the complaint. However, just recently a section of the clear top coat has just peeled away right in the middle of the bonnet. I now live in Yeovil and so took the car to my local Volvo agent for a repair quote.

The body shop manager was adamant that the problem came from a fault in the original preparation and spraying of the new bonnet. He also said that it should be covered by a lifetime warranty provided by my insurer. I also asked two other body shops to look at the problem and they both said exactly the same.

I approached More Than who said that as I had I used their approved repairer a lifetime warranty would have been given but, as I had chosen my own, they could not help and I should tackle Alan Gibson Volvo.

This was not easy as he has sold out to Snows group but eventually I did speak to Alan Gibson himself and he virtually laughed in my face. I also tried Snows who said that they had no responsibility for work carried out by Alan Gibson Volvo prior to them taking it over.

Having done all of this I rang Volvo UK Customer Support and asked if they could help. I pointed out that I had been a loyal customer for 40 plus years that I had owned may Volvos and a bit of help would be appreciated. All I got was a straight forward refusal and denial that it was anything to do with them.

Apparently they have no responsibility for their agents and do not get involved. I am now retired and I do not have much spare cash and paying for the repair will be hard. Can you assist in any way?