Volvo V50 (2004 - 2012) 2.0D SE 5d (Euro 4) (2004/54) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Like upmarket cars but not flash

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

They though it was a fabulous car

Would you buy this car again and why?

No - bit too cramped inside for a comfortable long journey - reliability was hopeless and every repair was very expensive, parts cost were extraordinary and the computer diagnostics had to be done by a main dealer or Volvo specialist, so they could charge the earth and the owner had no alternative. the final straw was a major contraction in the dealer network which meant a 70 mile round trip to check a warning light.

What are you likely to buy next?

Vauxhall - yes I know, but the one I now have is 100% reliable, the dealer is 3 miles away and it is FAR cheaper to run than the 'economy size' V50

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£6,000

When did you buy the car?

October 2008

Did you get a good deal and why?

Good price, saving £1500 on main dealer

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Downsizing from Volvo 850 after 13 years of faithfull duty

What was the dealer like?

Small time

What's it like to drive?

Fast, surefooted. When not under repair was very fast for a diesel and had to be very wary of speed cameras, yet on an economy run I reached 60MPG.

What's it like to park?

Easy

Have you had any problems with the car?

ABS failure, required £1500 main dealer repair (10 weeeks to force supplying dealer to get the work done! Electrical Faults, car lost pwer and put its self into 'safe mode', fixed by non-franchise specialist. Exhaust particulate filter blocked £800 replacement required

What's most practical about your car?

easy to park

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Climate control