Nice looks, shame about the quality (Volvo V40 1.9D Estate)

Member Name: bwells

Product:	Volvo V40 1.9D Estate
Date:	20/04/01 (1983 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fuel consumption, safety, space

Disadvantages: Poor value, shoddy build quality

We bought a new (early-model) V40 1.9TD in November 1997. After three years ownership, we would not buy another.

Plus points - for an estate car, it has good looks. Excellent fuel consumption (avge 45 mpg) as you would expect from a diesel. Lots of safety features - airbags to front and side. Quite good handling, epecially when loaded up.

Negatives - plummeting residual value, niggly faults that we should have been told about, rather than the dealer waiting for us to complain. These include modifications to the electric windows, suspension problems, gearbox linkage rods needed replacing. This car also LOVES to eat front tyres. Generally, the build quality was not too good - not what we expected from a Volvo. Not sure this early 1.9TD engine is powerful enough for a car this size.

Having said this - I know the range was revised in 1998 and many of the teething troubles were fixed. Unfortunately, we had our fingers burned by purchasing too soon.

I would say servicing costs are average (between £130 to £280 so far).

Summary: