Buying a luxury used car such as a used Volvo can be a good idea than buying a new mainstream car. This is because they come with more advanced and safety features than conventional cars. But why are used Volvos so cheap?
Used Volvos are cheap because they are expensive to repair and maintain. Secondly, finding Volvo spare parts for used older cars is quite difficult. Additionally, Volvos are equipped with lots of advanced features that can go wrong. Finally, Volvos deteriorate faster as they don’t come with the highest quality materials.
However, this should be expected as Volvos are luxury cars. Most luxury cars don’t hold their value as they get expensive as they get older. Hence, if you’re looking to buy a used Volvo, know that you will get a cheaper deal but the cost of maintenance will be slightly higher than that of a new Volvo.
Here are some of the reasons why used Volvos are inexpensive:
Costly repairs and maintenance
Similar to many luxury cars, Volvos also have costly maintenance and repairs. What’s more, the cost of repair and maintenance even goes up as the car ages. So, if you buy an older car, this means that you should expect more and costlier repairs than when the car was new.
On average, a Volvo costs about $1,500 to repair annually. But if the car is 3+ years, expect to spend even more. For instance, you may have to deal with transmission problems, engine failure, and much more. Such repairs are costly and that’s why most used Volvos cars with at least 100,000 miles are cheap.
Difficulty to find spare parts
Another reason why Volvos are cheap is that finding Volvo spare parts is quite challenging. This is because Volvo service centers are sparsely spread around the globe, making ordering Volvo parts from abroad to be quite expensive and cumbersome to get.
Therefore, if you have an older Volvo used car, finding its spare part can even be more challenging. And even though there are some aftermarket parts, these are not as durable as the original parts offered by Volvo. Unless you want to replace parts after a short while, you should consider getting aftermarket parts.
They go wrong easily
If you have owned a luxury car before, then you know how easy it can go wrong. Volvo is not an exception as it also comes with lots of advanced and technological features. As a result, a small accident can make the car develop problems.
That’s why most luxury car owners don’t last with their cars for long. Most of them sell their cars after 3 to 5 years of ownership. So, when the warranty runs out, they don’t have to worry about the high cost of repair and maintenance.
With this in mind, luxury car owners willingly sell their cars at almost half the price, making them cheaper. That’s why Volvos and other luxury cars are so cheap compared to new models.
The car deteriorates fasters
One of the worrying things about owning an older Volvo model is that it deteriorates faster. Compared to Mercedes-Benz, Audi, or BMW, Volvo interiors deteriorate faster, making them slightly cheaper than other luxury cars.
So, if you intend to buy a used Volvo model, ensure to inspect the interior as you don’t want to land a car with seats or a console in a bad condition. But if properly maintained, most Volvos will still have nice interiors even after putting up over 100k miles.
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FAQ
Is a used Volvo a good car?
Of course, yes. A used Volvo is a good car as long as you buy from the right person. On top of that, you should consider the car model and year you’re buying as some models are not reliable. However, if you’re buying a Volvo that’s 3 years old or more, you should expect it to have average reliability.
Is a used Volvo more affordable to maintain than a BMW and Audi?
Yes, a used Volvo is much cheaper to maintain than a BMW and Audi. BMW is among the most expensive luxury car brands to maintain. Audi follows closely, while Volvo is among the most reliable luxury cars. This includes whether new or used. So, you should spend less money to maintain your Volvo than maintaining a used Audi or BMW.
When do Volvos develop serious issues?
If you intend to buy a used Volvo car, you should check the miles before spending your hard-earned money. Most Volvo starts developing issues after clocking 75,000 miles. Nonetheless, Volvos develop serious issues after reaching 100,000 miles. So, you should be wary of buying a Volvo that has clocked over 100,000 miles.
However, this doesn’t mean that a used Volvo with over 100,000 miles won’t last. On the contrary, most Volvos have a lifespan of at least 200,000 miles or 20 years. What we mean is that the cost of repairs and maintenance will go up higher when the Volvo hits over 100k miles. So, you should be prepared.
Are Volvos expensive to fix?
Yes, Volvos are expensive to fix. This is because Volvos are luxury cars and come with additional parts that need extra care and maintenance. So, if the car breaks down, the cost of repair and maintenance will also be higher than conventional cars.
What used Volvo model should I not buy?
If you want to avoid visiting the garage often and spending a lot on repair and maintenance, stay away from a used Volvo XC60. This crossover SUV has several problems that you will have to deal with. However, it does not apply to all XC60 models but only 2015, and 2019 to 2020 models.
Therefore, if you get a Volvo XC60 model made in 2014, 2016, or 2018, it should be okay or with fewer problems than the above model years.
Summary
If you have been wondering why used Volvos are cheap, now you know. Like any other luxury car, used Volvos are cheap because of the high repair and maintenance cost, difficulty finding repair parts, they go wrong easily, and their cars deteriorate faster. So, before you buy a used Volvo car, consider the above factors.