Ask an expert

I have a 2001 Volvo Cross Country that's travelled only 113,000km's yet has had a litany of part replacements required over the past 15,000kms.

The final straw is now a problem with the automatic transmission which is as expensive as it sounds. I find it hard to believe that a car for which I have paid a premium for the purported Swedish quality, is failing in so many areas and in particular the auto transmission.

What is a reasonable life span for the automatic transmission for such a vehicle?

Do you have any recommendations on approaching the dealership for some discount, and from whom I purchased the car in 2003. I have had an unbroken record of regular servicing (and repairs!!) ever since.

I anticipated higher than average servicing and repair costs would come with a Volvo but am finding myself pouring money down a black hole and longingly imagining what it might be like to own and maintain a Japanese car.

Helene

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 18 February 2010

Without trying to deflate you anymore I would never recommend a Volvo simply based on reliability. One of Volvo's strengths and priorities for many years has been built more around occupant safety.

Volvo is like many other European brands, that is, history has shown they do not have the same long-term reliability record as the mainstream Japanese vehicles.

One reason for this particularly for the older European cars, is they can have higher specification levels which can mean more can go wrong especially with electrical and electronic components.

In fairness to them, Volvo continue to set new boundaries for safety initiatives which the Japanese and Koreans tend to follow rather than try and surpass.

Mechanical warranty insurance has been a popular option for many owners of European cars to help protect themselves against large repair bills, Volvo being no exception. Even then the costs to buy a warranty policy is often a lot higher in relation to the Japanese brands because of the higher risk to the underwriter.

The other important point to mention is the Japanese brands are not totally bullet proof either and automatic transmission repairs can be done at similar mileages as your Volvo.

I guess the big difference is the mechanical problems do not seem to continue during ownership. With ownership of a European car it is often "what will happen next" rather than putting one major repair behind you.

You could try asking the dealership for some assistance on the labour and parts as a gesture of goodwill, it sounds like you have made a reasonable contribution to their bottom line profit during your ownership of the Volvo.

I would also strongly suggest you tell the dealer to keep you informed on progress with this latest repair as costs can escalate on any transmission repair, more so with the Euro's.