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Post-warranty gearbox failure - should the dealer pay for my repairs?

I have a 2011 Volvo V60 with a gearbox failure. It is 37 months old and has done 48,000 miles. The twist to my story is that I took the car in for a service one month before expiry of the warranty and requested that the dealer check the snatching transmission when engaging drive.

They found nothing and offered me extended warranty, which I declined. However, six days after the manufacturer warranty expired, the problem deteriorated significantly. I returned to the dealer, who advised I needed a new gearbox. The mechanic also told me that he had prior experience of this problem.

What should I do? Surely the dealer has been negligent in not investigating the problem at the outset?

Asked on 9 December 2014 by PJS001

Answered by Honest John
I agree. This stinks. Happily it is on record that you took the car in during warranty, complaining of a fault and it was pronounced ok. However, the fact that you did this and the fact that the transmission failed six days out of warranty indicates to me that the dealer check was inadequate and, if this is the same dealer that you originally bought the car from, you can take small claims action to compel him to fix it. As soon as you mention this to the dealer principal you may encounter a change of attitude.

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