What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Why should I pay for insurance on a courtesy car after my new Volvo broke down?

I have used Volvos exclusively for the past 25 years. On 19 October 2012 I bought my brand new V40 and took it on the road for the first time. Within five minutes I had to return it because "Software Malfunction" was indicated. Several attempts were made to correct the problem without success and I was requested to leave the car for a couple of days to enable a full correction to be made. I live forty miles from the dealership and I was loaned a car, but I had to transfer temporarily my insurance, which has cost me £35.90. My request for repayment has been rebuffed. I do not understand why I should have to pay any money, as clearly the original car was not satisfactory. I would value your opinion and advice. In all fairness, I would like to add that this Volvo V40 is now a dream.

Asked on 26 January 2013 by BM, Beadnell

Answered by Honest John
This is probably age related because the dealer insurance would have covered the loan car up to a certain driver age. Ask for a meeting with the dealer principal of the dealership and tell him that if he does not refund the £35.90, then 'Honest John' will forward this shameful episode for publication, naming both him and the dealership concerned.

Update: Faced with this possibility, the dealer paid up.
Similar questions
I had a low impact bump causing damage to rear bumper and small dent to body work above bumper. I claimed on my insurance and my Toyota RAV4 was allocated a date for estimate to be carried out at appointed...
I had a fire in my Peugeot 407 which is now 13 months old. We bought it in February 2011 from the garage secondhand. We have a warranty that still has two years on it. The fire was caused by cross contamination...
In the few months from new, my new car has been in the garage for over 2 months, of that we have been left with a small courtesy car, and some periods of having 'no car' for periods whilst the vehicle...
Related models
Comfortable and enjoyable to drive, a good (if rather confusing) range of engines, fabulous record on safety.