FAQ - Subscription

Please note that Volvo Cars UK is no longer approving any new orders on Subscription. Please reach out to talk to a Volvo Specialist if you have any questions. We’re here to help you with anything you need.

This FAQ is for customers who have an active subscription.

Services

What services are included in my car subscription?

Your car subscription fee covers most of the costs of operating your vehicle; you only pay for consumables such as fuel, AdBlue, washer fluid and oil (if it needs to be refilled before the scheduled inspection), as well as fees for speeding, tolls, and parking. You will also need to cover the cost of insurance beyond the 7 day Driveaway cover you receive with your subscription. Your service plan applies during the length of your subscription. For full details, please see our “List of charges” in the customer Terms and Conditions, which you can download at the bottom of this page.

Is wear & tear coverage included?

Wear & tear is expected, it’s just part of motoring! We therefore don’t charge for fair wear & tear. However, for excessive wear & tear in relation to the age and mileage of the vehicle you may be liable for necessary repair and maintenance costs to bring the car to a standard acceptable in accordance with the BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear Guide. For full details, please see BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear Guide here. Wear & tear coverage applies to all vehicles in Subscription. It covers fair wear & tear needs for all car parts, provided that the wear & tear is not due to improper use.

What happens in the case of maintenance/inspection?

When your vehicle is due a service, our Customer Relation Centre will contact you in good time. They will also provide you with the contact information for a local Volvo service partner. Then you just simply call the service partner to arrange a time that suits your schedule.

Is Insurance included?

The first 7 days of your subscription includes Volvo Driveaway insurance (subject to meeting our eligibility criteria). After that, you are responsible for obtaining your own insurance coverage by either choosing to continue with our fully flexible monthly Volvo Car Insurance or your own cover.

The cost of Volvo Car Insurance varies depending on several factors such as the vehicle you choose, your age, driving experience and where the vehicle is to be kept. You can obtain an indicative quote by filling out your details online here. Please note that insurance is not included for Fleet & Business Online customers. However, sole traders are eligible for insurance coverage if the insurance is registered in an individual’s name.

How does insurance work?

With our car subscription, we offer free Driveaway insurance up to 7 days of comprehensive cover, which means you don’t need to worry about insurance hassle. Just fill in your details and activate your policy, collect your car upon delivery, and drive away safely.

Whilst activating Driveaway cover, you will be presented with a quote for the fully flexible monthly Volvo Car Insurance that you can choose to purchase when your free Driveaway cover has ended. If you accept your quote for Volvo Car Insurance, you will pay for the first month upon registering and monthly thereafter.

You are always responsible for making sure that your car is covered by fully comprehensive insurance, whether it’s using our free Driveaway insurance, opting for Volvo Car Insurance, or if you instead prefer to arrange your own fully comprehensive insurance.

Further details can be found at https://www.volvocars.com/uk/car-finance/volvo-car-insurance

Can I use my own insurance with my subscription car?

Yes. Although we strive for a smooth and hassle-free car subscription service, we understand that some of our customers might not want to utilise our free Driveaway insurance and instead wish to arrange their own fully comprehensive insurance, valid from the day the car is being collected and for as long as the car subscription is valid. It is important that you understand and make sure you and your own insurance policy complies with all conditions related to insurance in the Volvo customer Terms and Conditions. If arranging your own fully comprehensive insurance, you must inform the insurer at the application stage that you are neither the owner or registered keeper of the car, and that in case of a total loss, your insurer must compensate UK Automotive Solutions Limited for its market value directly. You must also make sure that your own fully comprehensive insurance covers:

  • Accidental damages (i.e. if your car is damaged by accident, vandalism or malicious damage, including standard accessories on it).
  • Damages to windscreen and windows (including possible glass sunroof).
  • Fire & theft damages (If your car is lost or damaged by fire, lightning, explosion, theft or attempted theft, including standard accessories on it).
  • Third Party Liability insurance (i.e. damages to other vehicles, damages to property and injury to other people or animals).
  • Misfuelling cover (at least compensation for draining and cleaning the fuel tank at the filling station, or after being towed to a repairer).
  • Courtesy car (temporary replacement car in case of loss or insurance damage repair) should be selected as if your subscription car is off the road. You will still be required to pay your monthly subscription payments.
  • Your insurance cover must comply with Volvo authorised repairers/retailers being used for insurance related repairs of all lease cars, using only genuine manufacturer (OEM) parts. Exceptions may apply due to geographical circumstances in certain instances. However this requires prior approval by Volvo Car UK Limited.
  • The main policy holder of the insurance must also be the registered lease customer.
  • The policy must start on or before the delivery date of your car. You are at all times during your car lease responsible for making sure that your own insurance policy contains accurate information about the car, its ownership and drivers, such as licence plate number, car specification (e.g. engine type, equipment specification etc.), and the named drivers on the policy. You must also state that you are neither the owner or registered keeper of the car and that, in the case of a total loss, your insurer must compensate UK Automotive Solutions Limited of the car for its market value directly.
  • The excess amount (your own risk in case of causing damage) should be maximum £1,200 per damage incident.
  • Your insurance provider must be an authorised provider of motor insurance in the UK (i.e. approved by the FCA).
  • If you take your lease car abroad, you must make sure the insurance includes foreign comprehensive cover (with exception of Roadside assistance).

Volvo Assistance (Roadside assistance and emergency assistance) is included for all lease cars 24/7. Consequently, the features included in Volvo Assistance are not required to be included in the insurance cover for the UK or abroad.

Can I use your Volvo Driveaway insurance and then use my own insurance?

Yes, but you would need to ensure that your own insurance meets our requirements listed in the question “Can I use my own insurance with my subscription car?“.

Do I need to activate my Volvo Driveaway insurance?

Yes, in order to activate the free Driveaway insurance, you must register via the activation link received in your email prior to collecting your car.

What eligibility criteria apply to Driveaway insurance?

Driveaway insurance is available to customers choosing any of our car finance options, or buying a Selekt approved used Volvo, who meet the eligibility requirements. Some of these requirements include: drivers must be aged 19-85, hold a full UK or EU driving licence for minimum 12 months, and have a maximum 3 at fault claims & 3 minor driving convictions in the past 5 years. For complete eligibility criteria please visit www.volvocarsinsurance.co.uk/driveaway Please note that Fleet & Business Online customers are not eligible for any Volvo insurance products. However, sole proprietors are eligible for insurance coverage if the insurance is registered in an individual’s name.

If I am not eligible for Driveaway insurance, can I still order a subscription car?

Yes, and you may be eligible to obtain an individual quote for the flexible monthly Volvo Car Insurance instead, for which you can register at www.volvocarsinsurance.co.uk/. You can use your own insurance. However you would need to ensure that your insurance meets our requirements listed in the question “Can I use my own insurance with my subscription car?“

What does the insurance cost for my subscription car?

Insurance cost is personalised and depends on various factors such as car specification, driver age, claims history, driving licence penalty points, or if you require additional drivers or not. We offer Driveaway insurance when you sign up to our subscription.

If you register for our free Driveaway insurance, you will be quoted individually for a fully flexible monthly (from day 8 and onwards) comprehensive insurance suitable for your car. You can also use your own insurance. However you would need to ensure that it meets our requirements listed in the question “Can I use my own insurance with my subscription car?“

What is the insurance excess?

The insurance excess is the amount you will be required to pay when you make a claim on your insurance policy. In other words, it’s the amount you agree to contribute towards the cost of a claim, for example if you have caused damage to the car (i.e. your own risk).

The excess payable depends on your selection in the Volvo Car Insurance policy, as well as other factors such as age and driving experience level.

The excess amount (your own risk in case of causing damage) should be maximum £1,200 per damage incident.

What do I do in the event of a breakdown?

Please press the assist button in your car to connect directly to our Customer Relation Centre. They will organise help and ensure that you are mobile again as soon as possible.

If I am in an accident or damage my car, what should I do?

In the case of any kind of accident or damage, report it without delay in accordance with your insurance provider’s requirements and ensure that such damage is repaired at a Volvo Cars authorised workshop. In the event of a break-in, theft or collision, please contact and consult with the police without delay. General guidelines for the UK can be found: here.

If you have Volvo Car Insurance click here for further details on how you can submit your claim to the insurance provider.

What do I do if I experience a puncture?

In the event you experience a puncture that cannot be repaired, your subscription does not cover the cost of replacement tyres.

VCUK uses the BVRLA guidelines when it comes to fair wear & tear.

In relation to tyres, the BVRLA guidelines explain that all tyres must meet the minimum UK legal requirements and comply with the vehicle manufacturers’ recommendations. For tyres to be considered within the fair wear & tear guidance contained in the BVRLA guidelines, ‘there must be no damage to sidewalls and tread, scuffs under 50mm on the total circumference of the wheel’. Following the BVRLA guidelines of what is acceptable under fair wear & tear, the puncture of a tyre would not fall under this category.

With your VCUK subscription, we include factory scheduled maintenance services recommended for your Volvo (according to your Warranty & Maintenance booklet) with each 10,000-mile interval, at no charge. This includes the wear & tear items: replacement wiper blades, brake pads, rotors and tyres - should they not meet a minimum tread depth. Punctures are not included in the VCUK subscription.

Generally, a tyre can only be repaired if it is a small puncture (less than 6mm in diameter) and falls within the central ¾ of the tyre. Anywhere else is deemed unsafe as it is too close to the sidewall. Other factors to take into consideration are what the tyre was punctured with and the general condition of the tyre (when considering the British standard BSAU159 set regulations). If the tyre is showing any sidewall damage, if there is visible bead wire or the rubber is distorted and cracking, then the tyre cannot be safely repaired and will need replacing.

What if I need a replacement car while my car is being repaired?

We will provide you with a courtesy car when you reasonably need one, while your subscription car is being worked on at one of our authorised workshops. This only applies to workshop visits which have been approved by us in advance, or if we ask you to book your car into the workshop. Please let us know in advance if you require a courtesy car.

Will my car need a tracker fitted to benefit from cover?

Vehicles over £75k and selected other models will need a Thatcham approved tracking device fitted with an active subscription, such as the Vodafone Automotive VTS S5 which has been specially engineered for Volvo Cars UK. For further information, please click here or contact your local Volvo Specialist.

How long is the warranty on the accessories?

All accessories come with a 3 year warranty if purchased online in connection with your subscription.

How do I claim for accessory warranty?

Please visit your local retailer who will be able to manage the warranty return.

Terms & Conditions

Can I share my subscription car with someone else?

You can share your car with whoever you wish, as long as the person is named on an applicable fully comprehensive insurance policy. For avoidance of doubt, as the subscriber you are responsible for ensuring all drivers of your car comply with the terms. Holders of a provisional valid driving licence may use the car.

How many miles am I limited to with Subscription?

You will select an annual mileage allowance when you take out your subscription. You may request to change your mileage allowance at any time if you think you will exceed or fall short of your mileage allowance. If you change your mileage:

(i) Before the 25th of the month, your new mileage bucket will be adjusted in your next month’s subscription fee. (ii) On or after the 25th of the month, your new mileage bucket will be adjusted in the following month’s subscription fee.

A mileage change will recalculate your total mileage. Your new total mileage will be recalculated as the weighted sum of the selected mileage buckets throughout the duration of your contract (see examples below). If you exceed your new total mileage when you return or switch your subscription car, you will be charged an excess mileage fee of £0.20 per mile. Please be aware that you will not receive a reimbursement for mileage you do not use.

Example 1: If you choose an annual mileage allowance of 6,000 miles (monthly average of 500 miles) and decide to return your car after six months and 15 days, your mileage allowance up to this point would be (500 miles x 6.5 months) = 3,250 miles If you exceed 3,250 miles when returning your car, you will be charged for the excess mileage.

Example 2: If you choose an annual mileage bucket of 6,000 miles (500 miles/month) for the first 12 months, then upgrade to an annual bucket of 18,000 miles (1,500 miles/month) for 6 months, then downgrade to an annual bucket 12,000 miles (1,000 miles/month) for 18 months and then return your vehicle; your total allowed mileage at contract termination will be calculated as: (500 miles x 12 months) + (1,500 miles x 6 months) + (1,000 miles x 18 months) = 33,000 miles

If you exceed 33,000 miles when returning your vehicle, you will be charged for the excess mileage.

Can I drive my vehicle abroad?

You are allowed to enter and/or transit the vehicle to the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus (applies only to areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Iceland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. If you wish to travel to a country not listed, please contact our Customer Relation Centre in advance.

If you take your subscription car abroad, you must make sure; the insurance includes foreign comprehensive cover, you have the required documentation and you have our written permission. Please provide a minimum of two weeks’ notice and send the following information in your request to volvo-support@volvocars.com

Vehicle registration mark: Your name: Date of travel from: Date of travel to: Additional driver’s name (if applicable): Your current address:

Can I carry animals in my subscription car?

Yes, you are allowed to carry animals in your subscription vehicle. However you are liable for any damage they may cause (for example a rip in the material). On selected cars we offer a pet package that contains accessories that will help you transport your pets safely. Please note that it is a legal requirement for certain animals to be secured in a vehicle when travelling.

Can I add accessories to my car?

If you wish to buy more accessories, these can be purchased directly from the retailer and will not be included in the subscription.

How do I know which accessories I own and which will remain with the car on its return?

A summary of accessories is shown in the order confirmation email, in which you will be able to see a list of accessories that will remain with the car (packages and optional equipment).

Billing

Which costs are covered in Subscription?

Your subscription fee covers most of the costs of operating your vehicle; you only pay for consumables such as fuel, AdBlue, washer fluid and oil (if it needs to be refilled before the scheduled inspection), as well as fees for speeding, tolls, and parking. For full details, please see our “List of charges” in the Volvo customer Terms and Conditions.

Insurance also sits outside of your subscription fee. However, we do offer you 7-day comprehensive Driveaway insurance. The 7-day insurance is subject to acceptance criteria from the insurer and requires you to separately register for the trial insurance at volvocarsinsurance.co.uk – please see Insurance section below for more details.

Are all prices quoted including VAT?

For consumers (personal customers), all subscription prices displayed online are gross prices including VAT. This means that the price you see is what you pay. For business customers, net prices are quoted. VAT will be added afterwards.

Do I need to pay for my Vehicle tax?

No, this will be included in your subscription!

If I keep the same car for at least 3 years, will I need to pay for the MOT?

No, this is included in your subscription, along with any work required to pass the MOT.

Delivery

How do I collect my car?

You can collect your car from a preferred retailer or choose to have it home delivered. Just let us know when replying to your welcome email if this is your preference.

Where will my car be delivered?

Your ordered subscription vehicle will be delivered to a Volvo retailer of your choice. The selection of the delivery location will be made at the end of the ordering process, after the configuration of your desired vehicle.

What do I need to provide to the retailer during handover?

In order for the retailer to hand over the car, you must present your valid driving licence (and a utility bill issued within the last three months in the event your driving licence does not show your current residential address) and current signed passport. You will also need to provide your insurance details (either your own insurance documents or the Volvo insurance documents we sent you in advance). The same conditions apply for home delivery of your car.

Will the accessories be delivered and fitted with the car?

Yes, the accessories will be delivered and fitted when the car is handed over to you.

Return

Can I cancel the subscription?

You can cancel your subscription at any time with just 3 months’ notice. If you want to cancel, just contact our Customer Relation Centre. Phone: 0800 0318065, Email: volvo-support@volvocars.com

What does the return process look like?

Once you have given notice to our Customer Relation Centre that you wish to end your subscription, they will arrange an appointment for the return of the vehicle at your location. As part of the return process, an independent inspector will inspect the car with you, noting any excessive wear & tear in accordance with the BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear Guide and to log any missing items. Any identified costs will be invoiced to you within 4 weeks.

When the car reaches the end of the contract, please ensure the accessories are in the vehicle at the point of handover if the car is being collected from you. You may of course keep the accessories that belong to you. If it is a switch car, please return the accessories that are remaining with the car on its return to the retailer.

Is it possible to buy the car at the end of my subscription?

No, our subscription vehicles cannot be purchased at the end of the subscription.

Can I keep accessories that follow the car but are not fitted?

No, you can't keep these accessories. However if you are interested in the product, you can buy it from your retailer.

What happens if I forget to return an accessory that is remaining with the car at handover?

If you are replacing your vehicle, please contact your retailer or customer care. If the vehicle is being collected directly by Manheim Inspection Services, please contact customer care. If you have lost or are not able to bring it back to the retailer, you will be charged for the outstanding balance.

Can I cancel the subscription of an accessory while my contract is in place?

No, you cannot cancel the subscription of an accessory without cancelling the car.

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