Faults:

Battery changed.

General Comments:

I have owned this car just over a year and it has never let me down, always starts first time. It was poorly maintained by previous owner - though a change of oil and filters have brought the car back to life. Handles the road extremely well. A superb car packed with features. The layout of the car is excellent with great positioning for the radio, controls are easily accessed, without distraction.

Faults:

Automatic gearbox failed and replaced at 40,000kms.

Water pump replaced at 35,000kms.

Starter motor replaced at 30,000kms.

Head removed and thicker gasket inserted to reduce compression to stop pinging (only high octane petrol has been used since new)

Door trims bubbled and replaced at 18 months old.

Numerous rattles from doors and interior lights from new.

General Comments:

The car has been a lemon from purchasing new.

My only consolation is that Volvo has spent a fortune fixing the numerous problems while still under warranty and extended warranty.

Maybe I have been unlucky, but the more mechanics I speak to say part of the reason for the problems is that the motor is not a Volvo and it has not been assembled in Sweden. If I had been aware of this I probably would not have bought the car in the first place.

Faults:

Nothing as yet.

General Comments:

This car is a real pleasure to drive. Overall an expensive option in the Netherlands, although I got the car cheap.

Cruises at 140km/ph quietly and with ease. My other car made me set at bumps in the road, this one doesn't even flinch at them. The seats are well designed and comfortable, the half leather is still in great condition even though it's nearly 6 years old, and the fact they are heated is great now winter has arrived, and apart from some wind noise the cabin is almost perfectly quiet.

Overall the design is quite classy (as it has the face-lift nose), it's not a boy racer, although acceleration is acceptable for a car its size. It does make you slow down though - in my other car I can start to speed up a bit, or enjoy traffic lights more than I should. However, the sheer relaxedness of this car just makes you enjoy the ride and go with the flow.

Size of the car was something I was surprised at, I was expecting something about the size of a 306 or Golf, but it's the largest car in the office, and certainly the most comfortable too.

Faults:

Computer went off.

General Comments:

Good car especially when alloys and trim added.