Item: Used Volvo V60 2010-2018
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a4/estate/used-review/n888">Audi A4 Avant</a> is the estate version of one of our favourite executive cars. It’s available with a range of punchy and efficient engines, both petrol and diesel, and it’s impressively refined with nearly all of them. Its interior is a high-quality and beautifully designed delight, with an excellent infotainment system. It’s also efficient in all guises.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/estate/used-review/n803">BMW 3 Series Touring</a> adds a dose of practicality to the compact executive car that defined its own class: the 3 Series saloon. That boot is of a useful size and shape, and the rest of the car retains all the virtues that have made the Beemer so popular: it’s great to drive, has strong performance and an excellent infotainment system called iDrive. &nbsp;

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter<a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html"> here</a>

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<h3>Potential engine fire</h3>

Volvo is presently in the process of recalling around 70,000 cars in the UK fitted with a 2.0-litre diesel engine, over potential engine fires. There isn't a fix at the moment, so owners are being told to pay attention to any unusual smells coming into the interior,&nbsp;if the engine warning light illuminates, or if the&nbsp;engine hesitates under acceleration. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/volvo-recalls-70000-uk-cars-over-fire-fears/n19820">Read our news story on this for further information</a> or contact Volvo directly on&nbsp;01628 854 210.

<h3>Cracked fuel hose</h3>

The&nbsp;fuel hose used in some models has been&nbsp;found to be crack&nbsp;up from the inside, which could lead to a fuel leak if not fixed. This applies to cars built between 11 April 2015 and 30 March 2016, and a Volvo dealer will be able to tell you if your car is affected or not.

<h3>Airbags might not deploy correctly in an accident</h3>

There have been a few recalls regarding airbags&nbsp;that might&nbsp;not deploy correctly during a collision. The first is for the driver's airbag on V60s made between 9&nbsp;May&nbsp;2016 and 22&nbsp;May 2016, while the second affects&nbsp;examples built between 30&nbsp;August 2016 and 21&nbsp;October 2016. Contact your local Volvo dealer to make sure your car has had the relevant remedial work carried out.

<h3>Coolant leak</h3>

It has been identified that there could be a coolant leak during the warm-up process of some V60s built between 1&nbsp;July&nbsp;2010&nbsp;and 20&nbsp;April 2015 that could result in an engine fire in extreme circumstances. Check with a Volvo dealer to make sure your car isn't affected by this.

<h3 dir="ltr">Vehicle location software issue</h3>

A problem was found with the vehicle connectivity module (VCM)&nbsp;that&nbsp;sends location information to the emergency services after a collision. It applies to cars constructed between 13&nbsp;December&nbsp;2017 and 30 October 2018. Any&nbsp;Volvo dealer should be able to&nbsp;perform a software update to fix the issue.

<h3 dir="ltr">Parking brake may release</h3>

On some examples built between 2 December 2010 and 2 February 2015 that have a manual gearbox and start/stop technology fitted, the parking brake may release without warning. This&nbsp;happens with the engine on and when the gear lever is moved, so it shouldn't occur when the car is left unattended. Any Volvo dealer will be able to let you know if your car is affected and apply the updated software required to prevent this from happening if required.

<h3 dir="ltr">Reduced braking performance</h3>

A vacuum line going to the brake booster could chafe on the wiper mechanism of some cars, which could result in a loss of vacuum pressure and increased pedal effort to slow the car down. Your Volvo dealer will be able to identify affected cars a fix the issue for you free of charge.

<h3 dir="ltr">Trim panel may cause injury</h3>

A trim panel may work loose when the curtain airbag deploys&nbsp;in the event of a collision on a small number of V60s built for the 2013 model year. Speak to you local Volvo dealer to find out if your car is affected, or if it has already had the remedial work carried out.

<h3 dir="ltr">Fuel gauge may show incorrect level</h3>

A software update is currently being sort to correct an issue with the fuel gauge showing the wrong level on vehicles constructed between 21 May 2014 and 11 December 2015. The current advice if your car is affected is to keep at the level above a third of a tank to ensure you don't run out of fuel until a fix can be implemented.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Seat belt&nbsp;may separate from buckle</h3>

The front seat belts of examples made between 15 September 2015 and 19 August 2015 may no protect occupants correctly in the event of a collision, and will need to be replaced with modified parts. A Volvo dealer will be able to tell you if your car is affected and if it still needs this recall to be carried out.

<h3 dir="ltr">Rear suspension link</h3>

Some V60s made between 25 September 2018 and 1 April 2019 could have a problem with the rear suspension links because they weren't correctly tightened at the factory. Speak with a Volvo dealer to find out further information as to whether your car is affected by this recall.

<h3 dir="ltr">Leaking fuel lines&nbsp;</h3>

Certain examples fitted with a five-cylinder engine had a problem with the high pressure fuel lines not being installed correctly, which&nbsp;could cause a leak and a potential fire. Contact your local dealer for further information as to whether your car is affected.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Power steering</h3>

A possible&nbsp;software issue on V60s built between 21 January 2015 and 18 February 2016 could cause electrical problems and the power steering system to stop working. There have also been other issues, including&nbsp;the auxiliary drive belt that powers the power steering pump can fail and affect the power steering system, and a power steering&nbsp;return line that can leak fluid. If it gets too low, steering assistance will be reduced.

This generation of V60 has done rather well in our most recent reliability survey, managing to secure a third place finish in the executive car class that consisted of 22 models. Volvo as a brand finished in 11th place out of 31 manufacturers in the same survey.

&nbsp;If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17798"> What Car? Reliability Survey</a> pages for more information.

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Estate

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

The Volvo V60 is an interesting choice for those wanting a bit of flair with their lifestyle estate&nbsp;

Used Volvo V60 2010-2018

Not surprisingly it’s the diesels that are the most economical in the range, especially so the 2.0-litre 120 D2, with a combined&nbsp;fuel economy figure of 74.3mpg for a corresponding CO2 emissions figure of 101g/km. Meanwhile, the 1.6-litre D2 version that features in earlier models boasts a&nbsp;fuel consumption of 62.8mpg, with corresponding CO2 emissions figures of 119g/km. The 2.0 D4 163 claims an average 62.8mpg as well, while the best performing petrol-powered version is the T3 150 with an average 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 139g/km.

Those V60s registered before the car tax changes of April 2017 came into force will be charged annually depending on CO2 output, while those few registered after that date will be charged at the flat rate, currently £145&nbsp;a year.&nbsp;To find out more about the current<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153"> road tax costs, click here</a> for further information.

Insurance costs for the V60 are reasonable, as Volvo’s excellent safety reputation helps to keep premiums down. Groups range from 21 up to 42 for the most powerful petrol-engined flyers.

Volvo doesn't have specific fixed price servicing costs, but main dealer servicing is competitive with other premium brand manufacturers.

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The Volvo V60 is an interesting choice for those wanting a bit of flair with their lifestyle estate 


You can pick up one of the earlier V60s with a highish mileage for under £4000, but we’d recommend spending £6000&nbsp;for a&nbsp;good 2011 or 2012 cars with an average mileage for the year and a full service history, bought either privately or from a trader. Up the money to between £9500 and £14,000 to get yourself a tidy&nbsp;2014 to 2015&nbsp;car. Late 2017 to 2018 cars can be found from £16,500, while the rare D6 plug-in hybrid can be cost more than £20,000 for something with low-mileage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Check the value of a used Volvo V60&nbsp;with<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/valuations/"> What Car? Valuations</a>

You’ve got a good choice of engines on the used market, but we’d try and seek out one of the D4 diesels because it has&nbsp;a good combination of power and economy.

ES trim was a later addition to the range and came sufficiently well equipped, though we would look for one that comes with sat-nav as standard, the so-called ES Nav model.

Our favourite Volvo V60:&nbsp; 2.0 D4 163 ES Nav

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

With its new ‘lifestyle’ agenda, the V60 will have been used on school runs and family holidays and for shopping in tight city-centre car parks, so check the bodywork carefully for scuffs and dents, and the alloy wheels, if fitted, for any kerb damage. Check the operation of the rear tailgate, and that the rear seats drop easily. The automatic gearbox requires new fluid every three years, so check paperwork to make sure this has been carried out.

On the whole, the V60 has a good reputation for reliability. Early diesel-engined cars could have problems with diesel particulate filters clogging, but this was often remedied with a good, long drive. Clunks have also been reported at low revs in the diesels, although this hasn’t necessarily led to the car breaking down. Problems were also reported with the EGRs of certain D4-engined cars, leading to the check engine light coming on and the car occasionally going into limp home mode.

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Those who fondly remember the large and square-sided Volvo estates of yesteryear - rammed full of children, dogs, antique furniture and wellington boots - will no doubt be quite surprised by the Swedish firm’s modern-day wagons. Gone is that utilitarian approach, and in its place now is a series of lifestyle estates - good-looking, swish and suave - aimed very much at families whose idea of getting dirty is spilling a Starbucks coffee on their Hollister hoodie rather than digging up their garden or mucking out a pig sty.

The V60’s shape is undoubtedly pleasing to the eye, though, and the grille is unmistakably that of a Volvo. Underneath, it’s actually an old enough car to borrow a lot of its underpinnings from <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/ford">Ford</a>, the V60 dating from an era where the American company had a large stake in Volvo cars. &nbsp;

Under the bonnet the V60 offered a huge&nbsp;range of engines over the years: petrol-wise there was a 1.6-litre 150bhp T3, a&nbsp;1.6-litre 180bhp T4 that was replaced in 2017 by&nbsp;a 188bhp 2.0-litre engine,&nbsp;a 240bhp 2.0-litre, known as the T5, and a 304bhp 3.0-litre unit&nbsp;known as the T6.

There was a 115bhp 1.6-litre diesel D2 (replaced in 2016 with a 118bhp 2.0-litre engine) and two&nbsp;further diesel options based on the same&nbsp;2.0-litre diesel engine, with either a 136 or 148bhp D3, or a 163, 179 or 187bhp D4. There was also&nbsp;a 2.4-litre diesel that powered&nbsp;the range-topping 212bhp D5 and 289bhp&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volvo/v60/first-drives/volvo-v60-d6-plug-hybrid">plug-in&nbsp;hybrid-diesel</a>&nbsp;D6&nbsp;model. The fastest V60 was the&nbsp;362bhp powerhouse&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volvo/v60-polestar">Polestar that rounded out&nbsp;the range</a>.

Five trim levels were available over the years: Business Edition, SE Nav, SE Lux Nav, R-Design Nav and R-Design Lux Nav, as well as that there was a later ES trim, while there were two trims for <a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volvo/v60-cross-country">the rugged V60 Cross Country</a>, a raised-up version with some additional bodywork for occasional off-road use.

On the road the V60 is an able performer with most of its engine options, although the 1.6 diesels can feel sluggish. None of the diesels are particularly refined, either, although&nbsp;their on-paper economy is much better than the petrol options offer. Most examples come&nbsp;equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, though the automatic gearbox was a popular alternative in many versions.

Approach a corner and you’ll find the V60 competent but uninspiring. There’s plenty of grip but its steering is a little slow and its handling is perhaps compromised by a chassis set-up that’s definitely biased towards ride comfort. On broken surfaces and beaten-up road irregularities the V60 rides with an almost old-fashioned panache, and its comfort will be appreciated by those who don’t deal with every corner as though it was the last one at Le Mans. &nbsp;

By the standards of the times in which the V60 was launched, in 2010, the interior is stylish and quite imaginative. The seats are comfortable and the driving position good. The floating centre console looks a little old-fashioned now, and there are rather too many buttons gathered around it. Space-wise, it’s good up front but poor in the rear - leggy teenagers won’t like travelling behind a taller driver, and the boot is surprisingly short of room - a corollary of that extravagant and stylish rear roofline. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Used Volvo V60 2010-2018 review

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Alternatives

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