1987 Volvo 740 GL Estate review from UK and Ireland

Brake servo hose, corroded.

Exhaust back muffler fell off (rusted)

Left-hand electric front window slow/jamming open.

Front tracking.

Interior plastic trim very brittle, easily broken.

Tick-over uneven, throttle system needed lubrication and adjustment.

I bought this car for £400 (with no MOT) from a dealer, on trade terms. I owned it for over 2 years, and maintained it myself, I sold it for £450.

It ran well from the start, wasn't too bad on fuel (20 MPG in town and 30 MPG on longer runs) it's a heavy car, but once it got moving it was really smooth and reasonably quiet.

Comfort was very good, with adjustable lumber support in the front seats, I didn't get a back ache on long journeys. The interior layout is very practical if a little bland.

Equipment included electric windows, mirrors and manual sun-roof, a Volvo rad/cass (replaced with a rad/CD Player)

Problems with interior plastic being very brittle were easily solved by visiting a breakers yard and replacing. I had the misfortune to have the passenger front window broken by a thief and my rad/CD player stolen. I replaced the window myself (£10 from a breakers yard) one consolation was that replacing the window fixed a previously annoying problem with the window sticking.

I spent about £200 on the car in 2 years, this included 4 new tyres (not remoulds) oil, antifreeze, wipers, fan belts (there are 2) and the other things listed above.

This car never let me down, despite being 12 years old when I bought it, I thought nothing of driving it on any long journey.

I have been driving more modern cars recently, but am about to buy a Volvo 940 Estate soon, as I need the load capacity and low-cost reliability once again!