Some time ago an oil warning light showed intermittently on the dash of my Volvo. I took it immediately to my local Volvo dealer (where my car has been serviced since new). I was charged £60 for investigation and assured that no fault was found, but advised to come again at some point to have a sensor changed. I did take my car there again soon after to have the sensor changed, for which I was charged again. Needless to say it had not resolved the issue. I had taken the car there for my usual service and told them again that the light was still showing. Again I was told that they could not find anything. At no point was I told that driving the car can cause an issue, nor was I offered a courtesy car so they could investigate it properly. I was simply given a shrug of shoulders treatment.

Some time later, the engine blew up. I was told there were metal particles / fragments in the engine and it would need to be replaced. I am convinced that the cause was oil starvation. The car is five years old and has done 78,000 miles. It is a diesel engine that should go for many more miles and it should not have such a catastrophic fault developing without a reason. I have been the only owner and it has been always serviced at the same Volvo dealer. I have been presented with £6600 bill. I have argued my case with Volvo, which agreed to contribute 30 per cent of the parts cost and the dealer was going to lower its labour costs only a fraction (£40 or £50), but I still don't think this is good enough. Why should I be faced with this huge cost for something I don't consider my fault?