2007 Volvo S40 Summum 2.0 petrol
Summary:
Powerful and reliable
Faults:
The car was somewhat charred after two years, not due to engine problems but to misuse by its previous driver. Still, nothing that couldn't have been easily fixed.
New brakes approximately five years after purchase.
General Comments:
Before buying the car, I had some fears because many people said the S40 wasn't as reliable as previous Volvos.
Finally, I decided to get it, and I don't regret it. The car is not only absolutely reliable, but it also has all the comfort and safety of a Volvo. Driving it makes you feel like you're in a high-end car. This is a big difference from my previous Mondeo, which was also a great car, but the Volvo is the best I've experienced so far.
The sporty feel of the engine fascinates me; it's not silent, but the sound captivates me. It's not cheap car to maintain, but with the necessary care, you have a car that will last a lifetime. The materials are premium quality, and so far, no rust problems, considering the car was almost 8 years when I bought it.
This car has all the safety and comfort of a modern vehicle combined with the reliability of cars from the past.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 3rd May, 2025
7th May 2025, 22:35
This is true with cars, the badge stood for what the car and its manufacturer were all about. Like anything - if you had a Miele washing machine which lasted for a long time, as your parents' one has, why would you even try anything else when it works exactly as you expect it to? Or a Longines watch. Cars these days are built to a cost, first to appease shareholders, and second to compete and get a bigger share of the existing market. I don't know if the loss of faith in a hollowed brand can be quantified by the bean counters in financial terms with how much more it costs in warranty repairs, lawsuits, and extra advertising just to either win back lost customers, or to try to gain new ones. A good name, by word of mouth, was free of charge. With a bad product, they will have lost customers they already had, who would've blindly bought again.
5th May 2025, 15:51
Nice review. They were good cars, the S40, I had one a few years ago. It was a 2006 1.6 S model, very basic but was still a nice well equipped car. Economical and reliable. Had a few issues, nothing serious.
I think the problem is people buy Volvo from post year 2000 after owning many 1980's and 1990's greats from Volvo (740, 850, and so on) and expect them to be just as good, but unfortunately they are not quite as solid as they once were, but by no means a bad car.
Friend of mine had a 2014 diesel S60 and had endless problems. So he was put off the brand after many years owning a 1997 Volvo S70 that was relatively trouble free, so I can understand. But it's interesting that across the boards of all manufacturers, petrol's do seem to be more reliable than the modern diesel engines.
It all comes down to personal preference and circumstance, but to be honest I think it's never been more important that people choose wisely when buying cars, new or used, petrol or diesel, Volvo or any other manufacturer, it does not matter, you must do your research and make the best choice for yourself, regardless of any horror stories. I wish you well with your car.