After nearly 3 years and 60k miles I have parted company with my faithful Octavia. I'd been weighing up the option of keeping it until I retire in 3 years time or changing - the latter decision meant that now would be the best time financially. The car was fine, but a couple of niggling faults, the most annoying one that I suspect was caused during the service in February by Sparshatts Southampton. Car was fine up to them, when I collected the car I found the "Exhaust Inspection Warning" light illuminated. Went straight to service reception asking them to look at it to be told this was not possible and would have to book the car in - earliest slot in two weeks time. Not impressed especially as I'd booked a service while you wait appointment which had already over nearly 1 1/2 hours from their estimated time. Car hadn't been washed either. Anyway, returned two weeks later for another two hours to be told they couldn't identify the fault, please book the car in for a two day period so they could carry out further investigation. After a further two weeks took the car in again at the end of the first day they phoned me to collect the car as they identified the defect as a fault in the water pump ( exhaust inspection warning light)???? Book car in yet again for rectification.

All this nonsense really decided me to chop the car in for something else. I'd never been impressed by Sparshatts service and a very unhelpful attitude from them and there are no other Skoda dealers convenient for me. My wife always fancied Volvo so we drove to Snows Volvo in Southampton to try the D4. First drive was in an automatic version which I found really didn't suit the engine too well, quite difficult to modulate the turbo / torque surge of the high powered diesel. Went back the next day and drove a manual D2 which was a much nicer drive than the auto, and was really impressed with the quality and comfort. Nearly walked away when the sales manager advised they'd just registered a D4 R Design Lux Nav with a long list of options which he'd let me have for £7k under list. Deal done!

First impressions after a week of ownership compared with the Octavia? Less roomy, much smaller luggage too

And rear seat leg room (neither of which I need), the ergonomics took a lot longer to work round than the simpler Skoda layout. Although not touch screen the sat nav is a huge improvement on the pretty poor Amundsen. Much more upmarket quality feel and a smoother more powerful (190bhp) diesel. Fuel consumption seems to be around 3mpg down in the 150bhp Skoda. Ride comfort is a vast improvement over the torture beam that's for sure and seat comfort also improved.

So, my first Volvo, we'll see how we get on. If it is as reliable as theOctavia I'll be very happy bunny!

 After a further two weeks took the car in again at the end of the first day they phoned me to collect the car as they identified the defect as a fault in the water pump ( exhaust inspection warning light)???? Book car in yet again for rectification.

 

Pls report the end of this story!

That's exactly how I found the Volvo. Very nice car to drive, quality interior, but I felt snug in it almost a bit cramped.

Other than the price tag it's a mighty fine car.

I never found Sparshatts helpful at all... I arranged a test drive of the new VRS and they were quite funny at first and then wanted to test drive mine first??

Anyway I arranged one turned up, couldn't find anyone or see a VRS in site so I just went home... Got an email a few hours later saying car was sold and that we could arrange another day.. No thankyou they were told and I went to Meadens in the new forest, much better service and attitude!

Volvo very good choice though I must admit, they do an excellent range now

Pls report the end of this story!

That will remain a mystery I'm afraid thanks to the unhelpful and inflexible service dept at Sparshatts, they couldn't book the car in again until mid April. I let Snows Volvo know of the issue and they said they would sort it out with Sparsh1tts themselves. They were under pressure to meet March sales targets and wanted to conclude the deal by the end of the month. Personally I believe that they damaged something during the service and weren't too keen to admit it. Exhaust inspection warning light for a fault on the water pump? Sounds like BS to me!

Edited 9 April, 201610 yr by Timoctav

I never found Sparshatts helpful at all... I arranged a test drive of the new VRS and they were quite funny at first and then wanted to test drive mine first??

Anyway I arranged one turned up, couldn't find anyone or see a VRS in site so I just went home... Got an email a few hours later saying car was sold and that we could arrange another day.. No thankyou they were told and I went to Meadens in the new forest, much better service and attitude!

Volvo very good choice though I must admit, they do an excellent range now

I really wish I'd gone to Meadens now to be honest! I live on the eastern edge of the New Forest but work in Portsmouth so theoretically Sparshatts were the more convenient. Sparshatts have been terrible. It's been a long time - thankfully - since I've had to deal with such an arrogant, inflexible and unhelpful service team. Parking on their site is nigh on impossible also.

Volvo have come on a long way since their tank days, and the new diesel is an absolute cracker. Smooth, powerful, economical and st 99g/km CO2 no road tax either!

Oh don't think I mentioned the model in my original post it's a V40 R Design Lux Nav.

Edited 9 April, 201610 yr by Timoctav

That's exactly how I found the Volvo. Very nice car to drive, quality interior, but I felt snug in it almost a bit cramped.

Other than the price tag it's a mighty fine car.

For a smallish car it's not cheap I grant you, but £7k off a 16 plate car that had only done 1,300 miles brought it down to a sensible price. Residuals should be an improvement over a Skoda too methinks!

Without a doubt, discounted they are much better. I like Volvo's would love the new XC90!!

Facelift model is due soon, so that's why there are big discounts.

Yes I know - mild facelift only though, mainly LED headlights and in the R Design 18" rather than 17" wheels. Wasn't worth paying another £6k for (got the dealer to price the difference) - and that was for a lower spec car than I've got.