Faults:

One of the Hand brake cables snapped at 141000 miles.

Exhaust valve in the cylinder next to the Turbo went at about 136000 miles. In September 2003 I had a cylinder head replacement at 141500, to fix this (complete with new leads, belts head gasket etc, as well as the new valve). It has again run like a dream since.

General Comments:

Engine very quiet and smooth.

Turbo cuts in when extra power required - not merely on reaching a certain level of revs.

Build quality is excellent - no rust at all on a 12 year old car.

Superb levels of comfort for driver and passengers.

Faults:

I have replaced the water pump three times in 8 years.

Broken drive belt.

Overdrive electronics failed.

Gas tank needed replacing: a baffle came loose.

General Comments:

This is a very comfortable, safe car. It passes well. There is lots of trunk space. With snow tires, it handles well in the snow. The body is still in near-perfect condition.

Faults:

Other than the fuel pump in the tank breaking down and contaminating centre fuel pump, I have had no problems with it with the exception of the red paint work fading on the roof and bonnet.

General Comments:

Although this is a big heavy car, it has proved to be a real work-horse. I cannot fault it on Reliability, it starts every time and runs like a dream.

Performance isn't race car like, but for size and weight it isn't bad.

With 205,000 miles on the clock it is surprisingly smooth and quite drive. Comfort is pretty good.

It has proved to be quite thirsty on petrol, but this is still within acceptable levels.

I would have no hesitation recommending this car to anyone, especially if you need a strong work-horse for towing. We have towed our 23 foot caravan all over the place with no problems.

Faults:

The cruise control doesn't work.

The "map" holders on the driver and passenger doors are mysteriously cracked.

General Comments:

This car has leg room and head room to spare. Lots of room in the rear too.

The leather bucket seats show no wear and are roomy and comfortable.

Economical on fuel. Drove from Northern New Jersey to Durham, North Carolina on one tank of gas.

Dashboard easy to read.

Faults:

Two brake light replaced at $1.00 Australian each. The flow control valve needed replacing.

The car lost power and cut out unexpectedly for a year or so intermittently until a wire was found to have been rubbing itself raw and shorted the ignition. On replacement (after the miracle of our mechanic finding it) the car runs beautifully once again.

A Volvo mechanic (which was really a Ford Dealership with a new franchise) broke the plastic pipe leading into the top of the radiator after my last service with Volvo in the mid 90's. We went halves. The test driver that day also got out from the car (with cloth seats) in his oily overalls leaving oil stains on the front drivers seat still visible today. The dealership is not longer there, but my Volvo 940 is.

General Comments:

What a beautiful safe family car.

She will go forever, but will cost you an arm and a leg unless you find a Volvo trained mechanic who has started his own workshop.

Never ever buy Genuine Volvo Parts first unless you have deep pockets. Look at the manufacturer and source them from there directly. My example is the above flow control valve I replaced in 1997, it was stamped 'Bosch'. Volvo quoted $1,100 for the part. I bought an identical part from 'Bosch' for $240 on my mechanics advice to try somewhere else. I know cardboard is dear, but $860 for a Volvo cardboard box is a bit rich.

I don't have many of these problems because the car is so reliable. In fact, I am planning to teach my 11 year old son to drive in it in 6 years time. We call her Bertha and she is older than my daughter.