[gramesmith]

Purchased a CPO car from out of state Volvo dealer trusting the certification program. I received the car 2 weeks after purchase with covered up bumper damage. There was nothing about an accident on the car fax report. The certification checklist obviously didn’t mean anything since none of this was listed.

The bumper has a different color and there is panel separation as you can see from the picture. The worst part is paint drop solidified and there is some overspray. I would take back the car to the dealer if he wasn’t 1700 miles away.

I got some local quotes from body shops which range from $1900 to $2700, dealer isn’t willing to pay that kind of amount. What should I do in this situation, should I contact Volvo? Will they be able to take care of this issue locally for me?

 

[Mln80]

I think a bumper re-spray is permission inside of a cpo program. Minor scratches and scrapes are common on cars without accidents. Not saying the quality is what you want, but a repainted bumper doesn't mean an accident.

 

[gramesmith]

I think a bumper re-spray is permission inside of a cpo program. Minor scratches and scrapes are common on cars without accidents. Not saying the quality is what you want, but a repainted bumper doesn't mean an accident.

Thanks for letting me know that point. I wish the dealer had disclosed this repaint prior to purchase.

It bothers me that they did not highlight this repaint job in the certification repair sheet. As you can see from the pictures the sheen is completely different between the metal and plastic panels

 

[LukeFlynn]

It’s very possible it was like that before they even certified the car and they didn’t pay much attention to it

 

[p.rico]

That’s a terrible respray. Unfortunate, but you can buy a prepainted bumper directly from Volvo for ~$1K.

 

[Mr.phil2u]

i Have never bought a car I haven’t looked at. I would complain to Volvo if the selling dealer didn’t make it right.

 

[Wayne T5]

Wow, what terrible quality body work - I've never seen orange peel like that on a bumper, and the driver side looks pretty rough too.

Unfortunately, the CPO inspection process is pretty inconsistent as you're experiencing but that's pretty awful that they wouldn't flag that.

Yeah, it would seem to be cheaper to just get a new pre-painted bumper cover but there are so many variations of the XC90 (Momentum, Inscription, R Design) it may be hard to track down or NLA.

I'd push for the dealer to make it right and involve Volvo corporate if you don't get satisfaction. Maybe they can work with your local dealer so you don't have to bring the car back to where you bought it.

 

[DFrantz]

CPO does not mean there weren't any accidents. Never understood where that idea came from. The brands I've worked for in the past also allowed for accidents.

However, repairs should be proper, and this is not proper. It might not be anyone's fault per say.. just apathy.

Whenever buying a car from any distance ask the sales person to actually walk out and around the car, take close up pictures. I don't need any pats on the back to be told I'm better than average =-D... but I won't sell a car from long distance without walking around it and looking for any imperfections and showing them. It's selfish as much as anything. It's a huge waste of my time, I hate long distance deals anyway, they're much more work.. then to go through all that for you to come in and reject the car.. or honestly even worse, to find out something was missed after the fact... it's just a headache and not worth the money earned.

I learned this the hard way of course. Had a CPO car that looked fine at a glance, but when you looked at it at an angle you could see the one whole door was repainted, and poorly matched in the metal flake. Customer was from New York, I'm in southern PA. We tried to have them take it to local shops and the "quotes" we were getting from them were over 3x what they would be locally. So then we told them we'd get it repainted to their satisfaction if they brought us the car back, we'd provide a loaner for them. It all worked out in the end, but it was a PIA... and frankly, neither party made out, but we did the best we could for the situation (including offering to just buy the car back). So maybe it was your sales persons first time getting burned trusting the system.

I know there are still shortages too.. but any time you're shopping out of state because you think the deal is that much better.. know there isn't some magic sauce there are some market fluctuations, but the cheapest is nearly always the cheapest for a reason. I could name a dealer that I absolutely know sells CPO cheaper than everyone else withing a few hundred miles, and from the number of customers who have come back to me to pay our higher price because the car wasn't in the condition they expected, I know how they're doing it. Some people are thrilled to save a little money for a ding and dent special, even knowing it doesn't technically fully meet the CPO guidelines. Heck, you can probably buy a 5 year extension for the money you save... at the same time, it would take $4k to get the car into the same condition as one that was well cared for, or properly repaired.

 

[gramesmith]

CPO does not mean there weren't any accidents. Never understood where that idea came from. The brands I've worked for in the past also allowed for accidents.

However, repairs should be proper, and this is not proper. It might not be anyone's fault per say.. just apathy.

Whenever buying a car from any distance ask the sales person to actually walk out and around the car, take close up pictures. I don't need any pats on the back to be told I'm better than average =-D... but I won't sell a car from long distance without walking around it and looking for any imperfections and showing them. It's selfish as much as anything. It's a huge waste of my time, I hate long distance deals anyway, they're much more work.. then to go through all that for you to come in and reject the car.. or honestly even worse, to find out something was missed after the fact... it's just a headache and not worth the money earned.

I learned this the hard way of course. Had a CPO car that looked fine at a glance, but when you looked at it at an angle you could see the one whole door was repainted, and poorly matched in the metal flake. Customer was from New York, I'm in southern PA. We tried to have them take it to local shops and the "quotes" we were getting from them were over 3x what they would be locally. So then we told them we'd get it repainted to their satisfaction if they brought us the car back, we'd provide a loaner for them. It all worked out in the end, but it was a PIA... and frankly, neither party made out, but we did the best we could for the situation (including offering to just buy the car back). So maybe it was your sales persons first time getting burned trusting the system.

I know there are still shortages too.. but any time you're shopping out of state because you think the deal is that much better.. know there isn't some magic sauce there are some market fluctuations, but the cheapest is nearly always the cheapest for a reason. I could name a dealer that I absolutely know sells CPO cheaper than everyone else withing a few hundred miles, and from the number of customers who have come back to me to pay our higher price because the car wasn't in the condition they expected, I know how they're doing it. Some people are thrilled to save a little money for a ding and dent special, even knowing it doesn't technically fully meet the CPO guidelines. Heck, you can probably buy a 5 year extension for the money you save... at the same time, it would take $4k to get the car into the same condition as one that was well cared for, or properly repaired.

Wish I had know this sooner. I fell for the Volvo advertising about strict standards to qualify a car as CPO.

I asked my brother in law who lives in the same town to take a look and drive the car. He did not see this bad orange peel paint though he did caution me about the hairline scratches elsewhere. I even bought a CPO 10 year warranty and extended maintenance contract.

 

[gramesmith]

Wow, what terrible quality body work - I've never seen orange peel like that on a bumper, and the driver side looks pretty rough too.

Unfortunately, the CPO inspection process is pretty inconsistent as you're experiencing but that's pretty awful that they wouldn't flag that.

Yeah, it would seem to be cheaper to just get a new pre-painted bumper cover but there are so many variations of the XC90 (Momentum, Inscription, R Design) it may be hard to track down or NLA.

I'd push for the dealer to make it right and involve Volvo corporate if you don't get satisfaction. Maybe they can work with your local dealer so you don't have to bring the car back to where you bought it.

The salesperson said he will talk to his general manager to arrange a reimbursement. The lowest quote I have is $1400. Curious what will happen now, I was planning on waiting for another week before I involve Volvo Corporate.

 

[s70t5ing]

That’s a terrible respray. Unfortunate, but you can buy a prepainted bumper directly from Volvo for ~$1K.

I have to agree, that rear bumper is a hack job.
I would try reaching out to Volvo NA and explaining your issue.
The bumper color difference should have been mentioned.

Also, good paint/body work is not cheap.

 

[DFrantz]

Wish I had know this sooner. I fell for the Volvo advertising about strict standards to qualify a car as CPO.

I asked my brother in law who lives in the same town to take a look and drive the car. He did not see this bad orange peel paint though he did caution me about the hairline scratches elsewhere. I even bought a CPO 10 year warranty and extended maintenance contract.

If you have the highest expected standards then the scratches should have been a red flag. And that he missed the body work means it probably was an accident that it was missed by the dealer too. Even though it sticks out like a sore thumb on a black car, a layer of dust hides quite a bit. You gotta ask yourself... who actually cares if all the body work is perfect? Does the mechanic working on the car? Does the reconditioning person detailing the car? Does the sales person who does the paperwork and never even walked around the car with you? The only one that actually cares is you. Reconditioning probably should catch it, but frankly dealers can't afford to pay detailers the amount it would cost to be body repair inspectors. Every brand talks up the cosmetic condition of their CPO cars... but think about it... it's not reasonable to expect that every car is fully inspected and repaired 100%. As a customer you can claim it is reasonable... but it would add thousands more to the program than the mechanical side already does.

As for Volvo's specific advertising... it says clean carfax... but it doesn't define that... if you do a simple google you'll see that it means no serious issues. For you that might be a fender bender... but you aren't the one defining the standards...

The checklist for the CPO inspection even includes a clause that mismatched paint on pumpers and fascia is fairly common, giving a bit of an out. Again, IMO, the repair on your car is unacceptable to me. But I can see how it would get through if there is a bunch of apathy. $1400 for a bumper is a pretty high quote though too. Or is that for all the other little scuffs as well?

Just curious... 1700 miles away means probably one of the coasts... was it New Jersey?

By local... it just saves these sorts of headaches.

 

[gramesmith]

If you have the highest expected standards then the scratches should have been a red flag. And that he missed the body work means it probably was an accident that it was missed by the dealer too. Even though it sticks out like a sore thumb on a black car, a layer of dust hides quite a bit. You gotta ask yourself... who actually cares if all the body work is perfect? Does the mechanic working on the car? Does the reconditioning person detailing the car? Does the sales person who does the paperwork and never even walked around the car with you? The only one that actually cares is you. Reconditioning probably should catch it, but frankly dealers can't afford to pay detailers the amount it would cost to be body repair inspectors. Every brand talks up the cosmetic condition of their CPO cars... but think about it... it's not reasonable to expect that every car is fully inspected and repaired 100%. As a customer you can claim it is reasonable... but it would add thousands more to the program than the mechanical side already does.

As for Volvo's specific advertising... it says clean carfax... but it doesn't define that... if you do a simple google you'll see that it means no serious issues. For you that might be a fender bender... but you aren't the one defining the standards...

The checklist for the CPO inspection even includes a clause that mismatched paint on pumpers and fascia is fairly common, giving a bit of an out. Again, IMO, the repair on your car is unacceptable to me. But I can see how it would get through if there is a bunch of apathy. $1400 for a bumper is a pretty high quote though too. Or is that for all the other little scuffs as well?

Just curious... 1700 miles away means probably one of the coasts... was it New Jersey?

By local... it just saves these sorts of headaches.

I am in IL. Bought it from a Volvo dealer in AZ.

I was already leasing a 2019 Momentum and wanted to upgrade to an Inscription with Bower and Wilkins speaker system, and four corner suspension. There was nothing locally, so I expanded my search to nationwide. The four corner definitely improved the ride quality, the road noise is low too.

The truck driver who dropped off the car pointed it out to me else I would have missed it.

 

[gramesmith]

If you have the highest expected standards then the scratches should have been a red flag. And that he missed the body work means it probably was an accident that it was missed by the dealer too. Even though it sticks out like a sore thumb on a black car, a layer of dust hides quite a bit. You gotta ask yourself... who actually cares if all the body work is perfect? Does the mechanic working on the car? Does the reconditioning person detailing the car? Does the sales person who does the paperwork and never even walked around the car with you? The only one that actually cares is you. Reconditioning probably should catch it, but frankly dealers can't afford to pay detailers the amount it would cost to be body repair inspectors. Every brand talks up the cosmetic condition of their CPO cars... but think about it... it's not reasonable to expect that every car is fully inspected and repaired 100%. As a customer you can claim it is reasonable... but it would add thousands more to the program than the mechanical side already does.

As for Volvo's specific advertising... it says clean carfax... but it doesn't define that... if you do a simple google you'll see that it means no serious issues. For you that might be a fender bender... but you aren't the one defining the standards...

The checklist for the CPO inspection even includes a clause that mismatched paint on pumpers and fascia is fairly common, giving a bit of an out. Again, IMO, the repair on your car is unacceptable to me. But I can see how it would get through if there is a bunch of apathy. $1400 for a bumper is a pretty high quote though too. Or is that for all the other little scuffs as well?

Just curious... 1700 miles away means probably one of the coasts... was it New Jersey?

By local... it just saves these sorts of headaches.

Here is the text from Volvo brochure that made me look for a CPO rather than buying out the leased car -

 

[DFrantz]

Yeah, B&W with air suspension is pretty rare. We don't do many of the air suspension cars. It's absolutely nicer, but most folks don't feel they need it.

It doesn't define what "passing" is there... to me... that bumper doesn't pass... but there is not definitive definition... and with the checklist saying that paint on the bumper might mismatch... it's less to stand on. I'll say without doubt we wouldn't accept a bumper like that and we would make it right, they should too. I've never painted a car but feel I have done a better job with rattle can on tractor panels. I'm not debating against that, just trying to give caution to others. What you posted only says the exterior panels are inspected... it doesn't say for what. Don't buy from far away without lots of questions photos and video. Finding a great deal on a great used car just isn't realistic... great cars are bought at fair prices quick. Folks looks around the internet all the time for cars. Cars that sit around have one thing or another wrong with them, or some other situation worth questioning (hidden away in loaner fleet, owner using it as their car, parts on backorder, special buyer required (P*) etc).

 

[gramesmith]

Yeah, B&W with air suspension is pretty rare. We don't do many of the air suspension cars. It's absolutely nicer, but most folks don't feel they need it.

It doesn't define what "passing" is there... to me... that bumper doesn't pass... but there is not definitive definition... and with the checklist saying that paint on the bumper might mismatch... it's less to stand on. I'll say without doubt we wouldn't accept a bumper like that and we would make it right, they should too. I've never painted a car but feel I have done a better job with rattle can on tractor panels. I'm not debating against that, just trying to give caution to others. What you posted only says the exterior panels are inspected... it doesn't say for what. Don't buy from far away without lots of questions photos and video. Finding a great deal on a great used car just isn't realistic... great cars are bought at fair prices quick. Folks looks around the internet all the time for cars. Cars that sit around have one thing or another wrong with them, or some other situation worth questioning (hidden away in loaner fleet, owner using it as their car, parts on backorder, special buyer required (P*) etc).

The car was certified in September.

I was looking at the original picture sent by the sales person on December 9th. The VIN number was clearly visible, the trim isn’t broken, and the rubber gasket wasn’t painted over.

Wonder whether there was an incident at the lot or they tried to cover some bumper scratches with this bad paint job.

Dealer responded couple of hours ago to reimburse $1500, which is close to one of my quotes.

 

[p.rico]

That bumper... ugh. Look at all that orange peel, its terrible!

So glad they did you right and sent you a check.

 

[DFrantz]

Wow, that's pretty awful. They certainly knew about that since it looks like it absolutely happened on their watch. I wonder if they have an in house shop or farm it out. No way would we have accepted a repair job like that from one of the body shops we use. If it were me... I'd use some money to just have the bumper repainted and lift with the scuffs. Cross price buying a new bumper and having it painted... sometimes that's cheaper than the prep work needed.

 

[Wayne T5]

I've seen better "rattle can in the driveway results", lol.

 

[Animal Farm]

It is possible that the bumper was sprayed - It's hard to tell. As crazy as this sound... Humor me, all Volvos, and many other cars' rear bumper have a slightly different color depending on the lighting. Apparently it has something to do with the cross traffic radar (I am not sure about this part). Take a look at random Volvos online, it will blow your mind, and once you see it, you can't unsee it