USED Volvo V50 Estate (04 - 12)

My car

This is my second V50, and most people would say if its your second you must like it. Well you couldn't be further from the truth. My first was 54 plate SE Diesel, my pride and joy until it started playing up. You see it would start up, the revs would stick at around 400rpm, it would not respond to the accelerator and there would be plumes of black smoke out of the exhaust. countless visits to the main dealer could not sort it. In the end after 54,000 I replaced it for a new 06 plate, my thought being was it was a rouge one. Not so, same problems with this one. I will say though after my last visit to the main dealer 3 months ago it hasn't played up since but to even cap it all I even got locked in the car when the electrics played up.the windows nor the doors would not open and ended up calling out the RAC. My view is keep well away if you want troube free motoring.

My car

Had this car now for a little over a year and 17000 miles and no complaints. Its quick, responsive and returns an average of 40 mpg on mainly country roads.

Driving position is fantastic, dials and instruments are clear; no rattles, squeeks or other issues with build quality. Only query would be rear leg room (I am 6'), but then I don't carry rear passengers to often.

No visits to garage apart from scheduled servicing and a set of front tyres at 16000 miles. Volvo dealership seems OK (Squire Forneaux, Maidenhead), but the Fleet company make all the arrangments, so I have no personal contact with garage.

My car

Am about to return this car at end of 3 year lease / 34000 miles. Still has 2 of the original tyres and has been fine. Only one small malfunction when rear seat occupancy sensor failed and kept sounding alarm when seat empty. volvo solved it at their second attempt. Fuel cons. and acceleration have improved with age. 3 months ago I went shopping for the replacement and set my heart on a BMW. Unfortunately when I specced it to match my existing car the lease price was £180 more. So its back to the Volvo garage for me for my new SE Lux in January. My advice, buy a volvo, save your money, and go on holiday !

My car

Bought this back in April after knocking my choice down to this or the Audi A3 Sportshatch. If I'm honest I went for the V50 because the Audi dealers arrogance was too much, and that a V50 SE Sport in that bright blue colour with the rear spoiler was just great to look at. Having previously borrowed a Ford Focus for a week, was surprised to find the Volvo slightly less go kart like, in a good way.

I am dissapointed by the mpg though as it is only slightly better than the S60 D5 I had previously and nowhere near as quick.

Fit and finish pretty good, but does get beaten by Audi A3, but certainly not the Ford Focus.

Would I buy another one no, would I recomend one yes.