USED Volvo S40 Saloon (04 - )

My car

Fantastic car. Volvo has definitely made a convert here.

Highlights include the silky-smooth transmission (have the manual), styling, excellent quality of materials used, comfortable seats, suspension and the quirky center console. The dealership experience has been the best that I have ever seen.

Minor niggles include a trunk that is less spacious than I would like, the engine is a bit noisy at idle, and little head room in the back seats.

My car

I've have this car from new ('54 Plate) on a three-year lease and I'm very pleased. I previously had a VW 1.8T Sport Passat and suffered at the hands of the VW dealer network where 'service' was not a word in their vocabulary. The vehicle spent many months off the road on repeated occasions (as much as nine months in three years!) due to ignition coil & oil pump failures, poor security and had two new engines during its life.

I'm delighted to breathe the fresh air of Volvo - the build quality, the drive and most of all the dealer support/servicing from (Johnsons of Hampton In Arden) has been first class.

Yes I've had a few faults, for example a power steering failure, Xenon lights which are rubbish (too low, not as bright as my old VW and poor in the rain), interior door panels that rattle in tune to the stereo, and an integrated mobile phone system which echoes.

I must agree with others here - fuel economy seems poor. I’m a high-mileage driver - I only get around 28.8mpg out of the 1.8i 16v 125bhp engine which is a little disappointing and costly, because my company pay me on an average rate based on the manufacturer's data which is more like 32.4mpg.

Overall though, I’m VERY pleased - the car looks good, is a great colour (Dawn Blue), has a fantastic sound system, is really comfy and right now I really miss it since my neighbour reversed into the back of it. Now I have to drive a Peugeot 407 while it’s repaired. Would I buy another - yes, undoubtedly.

My car

I bought this car new nine months ago, because I was doing a lot of high mileage driving (20,000 miles so far). My overall driving experience is good, although it is a very boring car to drive.

The standard of finish is high, although it has developed an annoying squeak in the cabin. Fuel economy is very poor, with it struggling to achieve 40mpg, bearing in mind that 95% of my driving is on motorways.

I have had a list of problems with the car, too. The electric mirrors work intermittently, the alloy wheels have become pitted, the footwell light comes on permanantly after a service by Volvo, and the engine management system failed after three weeks.

I had 'A-glaze' applied to the car internally and externally, but this failed to work, and I had to have the bonnet repolished. Dead flies stick to the coating, making them very difficult to remove.

My local Volvo dealer has not been helpful or proactive, and consequently I am getting rid of the car. It was always my wish to have an executive car, but based on this I will not have a Volvo again.

My car

This is a vast improvement on the previous S40 model. It's very smooth and handles well, although it's a little prone to bouncing around in high winds.