Long term report: Volvo XC70
The Swede was mine to see out 2013 and welcome in the new year. Or so I thought.
First job was to take mother to midnight mass on Christmas Eve. One hour later and after a quick handshake from Robin the vicar, mum and I headed back home in the XC.
Within five minutes, though, I was stuck at the side of the road with a blown back tyre and my hazard lights flashing.
It was raining, it was cold and it was 1am on Christmas Day. I wasn't in the mood to change a wheel, even if that is what a man should be doing.
What with Christmas opening hours in full force I couldn't start ringing around for a replacement until December 27th.
But I was then told the XC70 had a brand-new tread pattern and Continental couldn't get them in the UK.
Cue distressed journo call to Volvo, which promptly organised a Kwik Fit man (called Dave) to sort it out.
Dave managed to get hold of the elusive tyre and now the XC70 has got its work cut out transporting me through flooded Hampshire.
No niggles to report yet – just that God-forsaken tyre.
The knowledge
Model: Volvo XC70 D5 AWD SE Lux Geartronic
Price: £41,020 (as tested)
Engine: 2.4-litre, five-cylinder diesel
Power: 213bhp, 439Nm
Max speed: 127mph
0-60mph: 7.8s
Emissions: 169g/km
Mileage this month: 1,500
Costs this month: £185 (new mud and snow tyre)
This month's highlight
Seeing Dave pull up in his Kwik-Fit van- he was like an angel
