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<p dir="ltr">Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.</p>

<p dir="ltr">After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.</p>

<p>The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.</p>


VOLVO

<p>The Volvo V40 is an adequate family car, but it's not an estate car in the great Volvo tradition</p>


Used Volvo V40 Estate 1996 - 2004

<p>The petrol engines can run to 12,000 miles or a year - whichever comes first - before needing attention. The diesels operate to a slightly shorter time span, requiring a service every 10,000 miles.</p>

<p>That's not too bad and, if you take your V40 to a Volvo dealer, the hourly rates shouldn't work out more expensive than having, say, a Focus worked on by a Ford dealer. Independent Volvo specialists tend to be pricier than the class average, though.</p>

<p>For sheer fuel economy, the diesel engines can't be beaten, returning 50 to 52mpg. However, the 1.8 GDI petrol engine's economy is attractive, with an official 41mpg, but it needs dearer super unleaded fuel to get the best from it.</p>

<p>The T4 is easily the most thirsty and will return a real-world mid-20s mpg if used hard. It also suffers from group 32 insurance but lesser V40s vary from groups 19-29.</p>

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The Volvo V40 is an adequate family car, but it's not an estate car in the great Volvo tradition

<p>Petrolheads may fancy the hottest version, the T4 with its 200bhp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. But, although it's brisk, it lacks the lovely warbling note of the five-cylinder unit in the larger 850 T5 estate and, even with the revised chassis, its handling is still a let-down.</p>

<p>It's also not worth bothering with the 1.6-litre petrol, and the non-turbo 1.9 diesel is none too rapid, either. The turbodiesel does a better job, although refinement is not great.</p>

<p>On the other hand, the Japanese 1.8-litre GDI engine offers a good blend of performance and economy, provided you run it on super-unleaded fuel. For all that, though, we like the lightly turbocharged 160bhp 2.0-litre turbo best.</p>

<p>The top trim is CD, but SE has more than enough toys to make the highest trim a needless expense. Get a car built after 1998 and it will have a CD player as well as air-con, a height-adjustable driver's seat, electric front windows and side airbags.</p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

<p>If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.</p>

<p>Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.</p>

<p>As the V40 and its S40 saloon sister were jointly developed by Volvo and Mitsubishi, one would expect a high degree of reliability, but that certainly wasn't the case with early models. Rattling dashboards and electrical faults were far from uncommon. While things improved throughout the V40's life, it was never quite as good as it should have been.</p>

<p>The Mitsubishi GDI petrol engine can give problems as the miles mount, particularly if it has been run on something other than the recommended high-octane fuel.</p>

<p>On top of that, wiring looms can be prone to corrosion on all models, suspension ball joints wear out very rapidly and, if the car has a towbar fitted, it's essential to check that the rear suspension is still in strong working order.</p>

<p>It's also important to check the <a href="http://www.vosa.gov.uk">Vehicle and Operator Safety website</a>, because the V40's recalls include the risk of the detachable towbar working loose.</p>

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<p>Think Volvo and you probably think big, all-accommodating estate cars, but this one is a bit different. The Volvo V40 is more of a 'lifestyle' estate than a hardcore load-lugger. True, the rear seats fold quickly and easily to extend the load area - which will cope with most family clutter - just don't try taking up antiques dealing.</p>

<p>On older cars built before mid-2000, the ride and handling have a particularly ancient feel. However, steering feel, body-control and comfort improved when Volvo revised the chassis.</p>

<p>There is a wide range of engines to choose from, but although the diesels are economical, sadly they're not particularly refined.</p>

<p>Equipment is good across the whole range, as is safety. The cabin looks good in the usual Volvo big-button tradition, but build quality could be better on early versions.</p>

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Used Volvo V40 Estate 1996 - 2004 reliability

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Used Volvo V40 Estate 1996 - 2004 review

As the V40 and its S40 saloon sister were jointly developed by Volvo and Mitsubishi, one would expect a high degree of reliability, but that certainly wasn't the case with early models. Rattling dashboards and electrical faults were far from uncommon. While things improved throughout the V40's life, it was never quite as good as it should have been.,The Mitsubishi GDI petrol engine can give problems as the miles mount, particularly if it has been run on something other than the recommended high-octane fuel.,On top of that, wiring looms can be prone to corrosion on all models, suspension ball joints wear out very rapidly and, if the car has a towbar fitted, it's essential to check that the rear suspension is still in strong working order.It's also important to check the Vehicle and Operator Safety website, because the V40's recalls include the risk of the detachable towbar working loose. 

What to look for when buying a Volvo V40 1996 - 2004, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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Used Volvo V40 Estate 1996 - 2004 reliability

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