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Dashboard failure on XC60

I have had a Volvo XC60 SE5 diesel for just over 4 years and it has been generally satisfactory for my needs and not too expensive. I have done about 52,000 miles. A month ago one half of the dashboard shut down so that I could not get any information up on the left hand dial which remained blank The right dial functioned as normal.
The Volvo service team at Guildford said this was very rare. I have been told that I need a new dashboard and quoted £668 ( exc. vat ) plus new software and labour bringing the overall bill up to £990.
This seems excessive to me for a part that should not fail especially as the car, although out of warranty, is not old and has always been fully serviced. So far I have been offered a £200 reduction on this bill.

Asked on 11 June 2015 by kcdavis

Answered by Honest John
I haven't heard of this before, don't know how it happened and don't know how much damage has been done. Possibly caused by water ingress. They aren't ripping you off, though I understand this is a heavy and unexpected hit. If it's the speedo that failed, then the reason might not be the dash but might instead be the oil seal to the speed sensor on the final drive. If this fails and knocks out the speedo it can knock out other components on the same can bus power circuit. If it is the speedo, then it's worth bouncing this possibility off the guys at Guildford.
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