Service regimes are generally made up of two elements.

1 - Items which have to be done - generally not much more than oil change for a minor, cabin filter, air filter for major and a few checks on other systems.

2 - Items which are recommended to be done - brake fluid changes, coolant change, fuel filter, cambelts etc.

Service plan quite often only cover those items unger 1) above. Anyting recommended has to be paid for.

However like all such agreements the devil is in the detail - what does your service plan actually say it covers and more importantly exclude?

From their website:

What is covered?
All elements of Volvo scheduled servicing are covered by the Volvo Service Plan you have chosen to purchase – this includes the cost of materials, cost of labour and VAT (the VAT rate applicable at time of plan purchase will apply).

What is not covered?
Anything not included within the official Volvo scheduled servicing for your vehicle, for example, any extra maintenance work or adjustments.

You therefore need to know what work is included in "scheduled servicing" and if it includes brake fluid changes. Details should be in vehicle documentation.

This is done at every service:

• Change engine oil
• Change oil filter
• Change cabin air filter
• Software update
• Read-out fault codes
• Top up washer fluid
• External car wash
• Check seat belts
• Check battery
• Check wiper blades
• Check tyre pressure
• Check tyre condition
• Check coolant system and anti freeze degree
• Check for engine oil leaks
• Check for transmission oil leaks
• Check steering & front suspension
• Check driveshaft joints & gaiters
• Check propshaft joints
• Check condition of brake/fuel lines & hoses
• Check brake pads & discs
• Check handbrake cables & linkages
• Check brake hydraulic system
• Check and top up engine compartment fluids
• Reset service reminder indication

In addition, the following actions are performed at specified service intervals:

• Change spark plugs
• Change air filter
• Change auxiliary drive belt & apply decal
• Change fuel filter
• Change timing belt & apply decal
• Check rear endsprings
• Check sealant kit

No mention of any brake fluid changes.

Edited by daveyjp on 03/03/2016 at 12:35

personally, I think you were "having your leg lifted". However, as Dave points out, the devil is in the detail

Edited by Cyd on 03/03/2016 at 13:11

Brake fluid changes are very rarely covered by service schedules, so you've got a good deal by getting the Volvo dealer to do it free gratis.

The worst that happens with NOT changing brake fluid is that it could absorb enough moisture so that it might boil under extreme braking conditions (for example descending a very long Alpine pass while towing a caravan).

In practice, this is unlikely to happen as brake systems are largely sealed, and modern brake fluids have better additives that mean they absorb less water than they used to, and are less prone to causing corrosion in ABS units, etc.

It would take at least 4 years for this to happen from new, in my view, unless you're in the habit of leaving the cap off the brake fluid reservoir.

A fluid change is worthwhile on a used car when you're not sure if it's ever been done; I do believe every 2 years is excessive.

Edited by craig-pd130 on 03/03/2016 at 15:19

You can check the fluid's condition, my indie does it and tells me the state of it. if it's ok they don't change it...simples.