• Summary

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What does this car say about you?

    Need family transport. Safety more important than flair.

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    They all like it.

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    As long as it is at the right price and has the right spec.

    What are you likely to buy next?

    A coupe as a replacement for my wife's ageing CLK.

  • Buying experience

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Didn't buy from a dealer

    Did you buy this car new?

    No

    What price did you pay?

    £0

    When did you buy the car?

    July 2011

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    I think so. The trade-in was the best I was quoted and the price was below the guide value.

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    We needed to replace our existing vehicle and had owned the V70's predecessor (850) and had liked that.

    What was the dealer like?

    OK - tries to push additional services and collection and completion of paperwork took longer than I expected. The car was as advertised, no nasty surprises.

  • Driving it

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What's it like to drive?

    Not as smooth as it should be. A bit jerky on poorly surfaced roads. Auto gearchange isn't the smoothest either. However, it is comfortable and easy enough to live with.

    What's it like to park?

    It's a real shortcoming that Volvo didn't fit sensors as standard. When reversing I keep thinking I am much closer to objects than I really am. Hopefully I will get more used to it and will probably get sensors fitted.

  • Living with it

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    Nothing so far. There was an annoying rattle from the rear. The cause was a loose part of the trim hitting the sub-woofer box (the car has the upgraded audio system and it's a big box) and easily fixed by me.

    What's most practical about your car?

    Volvo know how to make an estate and how people use them it has several nice touches like; the grocery bag holder, 40/20/40 split rear seats, forward folding front passenger seat, numerous load anchor points etc.

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    The ipod connection and upgraded audio system is very good. Ventillated and heated seats is also very nice.