Volvo cars are popular for their safety and durability. But are Volvo used cars reliable in the long run?
Are Volvos reliable used cars: Despite designing some of the most beautiful and advanced luxury vehicles, Volvos used cars are not the most reliable. If you’re looking for the most reliable used Volvos look for a new Volvo that has been on the market for three years or less. If your Volvo is more than 3 years old, then you may not consider yourself as having a reliable Volvo car.
However, apart from age, some Volvos models (old or new) have proven to be more reliable than other models. For instance, the Volvo S60/V60 and XC40 register fewer problems even after clocking over 100,000 miles. On the contrary, some models like the XC90 have proven to be problematic even after a few years of ownership.
According to Consumer Reports, the Volvo XC90 ranks at the bottom of the least luxury cars together with the Cadillac XT4. Unlike Cadillac, Volvo only had the XC90 in the bottom ten of the least reliable vehicles. Consumer Reports also ranked the Volvo S60/V60 with an average reliability score.
Some of the common problems that Volvo XC90 owners should expect are issues with suspension, drive system, power equipment, and body integrity. Note that, not all Volvo XC90s are unreliable, as this only applies to the second generation of XC90s and not the first-generation made from 2002 to 2015.
What is the most reliable used Volvo car model?
The title for the most reliable used Volvo model goes to the Volvo XC90. This may come as a surprise but the first generation XC90 was an excellent SUV with fewer problems. Its production started in 2002 up to 2015. The second-generation XC90 started in 2015 to date.
Aside from being reliable, a used Volvo XC90 SUV also boasts of high-end features that keep the seven occupants of the car safe and secure. Apart from that, this car also offers comfort as it comes with lots of luxurious features.
Some of the outstanding features that the 2012 Volvo XC90 provides include leather seats, interior air filtration, wood trim on the dash, leather steering wheel, dual illuminating vanity mirrors, wood trim on the center console, alloy trim on doors, air conditioning, and much more.
The 2012 Volvo XC90 may be an older car, but it has several advanced features that make driving it to be fun and comfortable. Thanks to features such as cruise control, HID headlamps, adjustable steering wheel, vehicle anti-theft system, front/rear reading lamps, and keyless entry.
What’s more, this first-generation XC90 boasts a powerful engine as it comes with an inline-6 3.2-liter straight 6 cylinder engine. Additionally, it has an automatic transmission and the engine can deliver up to 240 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque.
Fitted with an AWD system, the XC90 goes for $38,400. However, this price is for the base trim model, which is 3.2 XC90. This car comes with a total of six trims. The most expensive trim, which is the 3.2 R-Design Platinum goes for $44,300. Another vital feature of this SUV that we almost forgot about is its excellent cargo capacity.
Despite a used Volvo XC90 being a quality and exceptional used car, it’s worth buying from a reliable person or service center. If the car is poorly maintained, then don’t expect it to perform well. Also, do a test drive and find out the history of the car being parting with it.
What is the least reliable used Volvo car model?
The least reliable used Volvo model is the XC60 made in the year 2015, and 2019 to 2020. So, if you want to save yourself from trouble, stay away from this used Volvo model. A used 2015 Volvo XC60 SUV goes for about $20,000 to $35,000.
The 2015 Volvo XC60 is equipped with an inline-4 cylinder turbo 2.0-liter engine. On top of that, it has an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission with a combined MPG of about 27. Even though not very powerful, the engine can deliver a maximum of 240 horsepower.
Besides, this is an excellent family car as it comes with a seating capacity of five. Moreover, it comes with an FWD system, and it has a decent cargo area. As expected, this car ranks high in terms of safety, but lower in terms of reliability. Overall, it’s a nice car when properly maintained.
RepairPal rating on reliability
RepairPal reports that Volvo has a respectable reliability rating of 3.5 out 5 and an Above Average rating. Volvo repairs and maintenance costs around $769 annually, which is higher than the $652 average across all models.
FAQ
What is the best Volvo engine?
The best Volvo engine is the S60’s T6 engine. Even the President of and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America admitted. The T6 engine is smooth, powerful, and delivers exceptional fuel economy. That’s one of the reasons why the Volvo S60 sedan is among the most reliable cars on the road.
Do Volvos have a lot of problems?
Yes and no. It depends on what you’re comparing Volvo with. If you compare Volvo with mainstream cars like Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru, you will find that Volvo is less reliable. But if you compare Volvo with similar luxury cars like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi, then you will discover that Volvo is more reliable.
So, compared to other luxury cars, Volvos have fewer issues per 100 vehicles. But if you compare them to a Toyota or Mazda, you will find that Volvo registers more problems than these cars. This is mainly because Volvo has more parts with more advanced features that can easily go wrong.
Which car is more reliable – Volvo, Mercedes, or BMW?
When you’re talking about reliability, most of the European luxury cars fall below-average reliability. Volvo, Mercedes, and BMW are no exception. Nonetheless, Volvo is more reliable than both Mercedes and BMW. Among these three, BMW is the least reliable brand.
Video: Buying a used Volvo S60, V70 (P2) – 2000-2009, Buying advice with Common Issues
If you’re considering buying a used first-generation Volvo S60 or a used second-generation Volvo V70 then you need to watch this video about buying a used Volvo S60 and V70. Find out if Volvos are good cars to buy used.
Summary
Like any other luxury car brand, Volvo offers both reliable and unreliable models. But when compared to the most reliable car brands like Lexus, Toyota, and Mazda, Volvo is slightly unreliable. That’s why it’s crucial to analyze and get the most reliable Volvo model that won’t cause you a lot of problems as it ages.
And if you opt for a used Volvo model, ensure to go for models like the first-generation XC90 that have been proven. Furthermore, you should consider getting a used Volvo model that has been well maintained and serviced to avoid running into issues.
