Faults:

Reversing light switch can play up.

Drivers door check strap is noisy, but works fine.

Clutch is on its way out.

General Comments:

Now cheap to buy

Cheap on insurance due to the standard security features

Don't believe what you hear, fuel consumption is great, half of what a BMW 325i uses

Torque is never ending it pulls like a train

Very quiet inside and comfy loads of room.

Heated seats, need I say more?

Stereo is great

Love the wolf in sheep's clothing part it plays.

Only people in the know raise eyebrows when you say "I've got a Volvo T5"

Dont be put off if youve never had one, parts are not expensive, running costs are low apart from front tyres, but just rotate them every 3 months or so,and make sure you regularily change engine and gearbox oil.

You will love the car, just test drive one, i was hooked.

A great car.

Faults:

Developed severe ECU problems at 60000 miles, resulting in the vehicle losing power randomly - this made the vehicle both infuriating and unfit to drive. Much money was spent on rectifying his problem.

Only months later, the gearbox developed faults and would not engage reverse gear when starting from cold. Due to the design of the 850, the gearbox would have to be removed completely to gain sufficient access to repair this.

The final straw was when another electrical fault developed. This one again occurred randomly and stopped the warning lights and starter motor activating upon turning the key. However, after ten minutes of waiting, things would start working again.

General Comments:

The Volvo 850 is a delightful, fast and very comfortable car. In the right colour it looks brilliant, and the interior still looks and feels very good. It's also incredibly safe for a car of it's age as well.

Providing the 850 remains reliable, it makes a very good car. However, if you are unfortunate enough to end up with all the problems mine had, it becomes an absolute (and very expensive) swine.

Faults:

Power steering leaks, not bad enough to change the unit.

Drivers door clicked loudly when opened and closed, dealer fixed and a common fault.

Glove compartment lock failed costing £100 to repair. Can only break them open.

Minor electrical faults in the car alarm.

Front anti roll bar snapped.

Front wheel CV joint boots failed at 250000 miles.

General Comments:

This car has done 270000 miles mainly dealer serviced. The oil level hardly drops between service intervals of 10000 miles. I guess the engine is good for 500000 miles plus, what a machine.

I travel 600 to 1000 miles a week in this car, fuel economy rivals a Nissan Micra if driven at the same speed along the motorway.

Extremely comfortable, last month I drove from Inverness to Swansea and then on to Ipswich only stopping for fuel and food. A distance of 1000 miles in one go. Automatic gearbox and cruise control make the car a pleasure to drive.

Strong and safe, avoiding some dolt overtaking, have had two vehicles crash into the rear of the car in a multiple pile up. The middle car, a Citreon was a write off, the other car, a BMW had to be towed away on a truck with £1000's of damage. My Volvo required just a new rear bumper. Brakes are superb, like throwing out a sea anchor.

Always starts first time, however does have a turbo lag.

Tyre wear acceptable, V rated, approx 12000 to 15000 on the front.