Faults:

To be honest, I cannot remember. Well, I can, it's just there were so many things that went wrong.

We only covered 5,000km over a year because it was always going wrong. (we usually covered 25,000).

Things included engine mount, ABS braking system, Air Flow sensors, oxygen sensors, door locks (at $600 per unit!!!), Cruise control, fuel sensor (or something like that), transmission, (and the thing that controls the idle revving), accelerator control module... the list continues.

Thankfully we bought this car to replace our spare car (a Saab 900s, which my sister kindly put through a fence), as we would have been completely stuck if this was our main car. We spend about $8,000 USD on repairs over an 8 month period (that is not a joke!).

Oh, we also had light bulbs blowing all the time, and the CD player was also faulty.

Some of the faults, like the ABS and Airflow, needed replacing on more than one occasion.

General Comments:

The car was smooth and elegant. The 2.0 litre turbo could get up and go if pushed, but was nicer driving at highway speeds.

Had very good safety features, and had a lovely design. Of course, this was worth nothing when it was continually needing thousands of dollars of repairs, or when the accelerator module would fail at intersections; it would stop accelerating and do a sort of bunny hop - a brilliant party trick it liked doing when performing a quick maneuver in front of a truck!

Please just take my advice, and be extremely careful when buying this car.

Admittedly, the car was a Singapore import, so who knows what it had been through? I've heard the NZ New ones are better, (i.e not imported), but seriously don't believe it's worth it. Stay clear.

Faults:

Having owned 2 previous Volvo's a 244GLT and 16v twin cam 740GLE, I am very disappointed with the S80. Luckily for me I purchased a warranty with the car.

The front shocks and mounts collapsed suddenly at 85,000 and bottomed out on minor bumps.

The ABS was repaired at 90,000km as DSTC light kept coming on.

The air mass flow meter failed on motorway at 8.14am one morning, stranding me at around 90,000km.

The brake booster was removed and sent away for repair at around 92,000km as DSTC light came on all time.

Transmission stuck in 3rd and transmission failure light on, transmission fully overhauled around 95,000km.

Alternator overhauled around 95,000km.

Sensor on brake pedal replaced at around 99,000km.

Throttle body replaced around 105,000km.

Steering rack repaired around 106,000km.

ABS module sent away again for overhaul at around 112,000km.

Engine strut brace between towers replace as mount shot, around 112,000km.

Oxygen sensor replaced around 115,000km.

Endless faults coming up on display panel.

Car still is not smooth in morning lurches until warm.

Luckily majority has been paid by insurance co, they have spent over NZ$14,000 to date. I wonder when it will end. Not sure if I will ever purchase another Volvo. Dealer says are usually good, but when I read problems from USA etc I worry.

Car gos really well, rides and suits me fine, and on trips is very economical.

Having owned many Nissan's (1200, 180Bs, 240Cs, 260Cs, 3 bluebirds and Nissan van) and 1 Toyota Camry V6, I wonder sometimes if I can trust it to get me home, as I have never had a car let me down before, and this has done it twice.

Faults:

This car has numerous light bulbs. Each year I have to replace at least one of them. However, it is not very expensive to replace one as it cost me around $6.00 to $50.00 (at most).

Engine Emission and Turbo charger need to be replace within my first 2 years (at 90,000 Km). However, the car is entitle for extended warranties, which I did not have to pay even a cent for the replacement (as Volvo warranties is responsible for that).

General Comments:

One of the most reliable European Cars in the market.

This is very luxury car with exceptional leather seats, heated seats, personal air conditioning, and considerably wide legroom for the rear passengers.

Volvo has the best service department with friendly and helpful attitudes. They are willing to check and fix some minor problems for a free of charge).

People might have an image that European Cars are expensive to maintain. The reality is differences, if you service your vehicle with dealers the fees would be very similar. The replacement items such as front passenger tray cost only $40.00 (include the labour work), light bulbs around $6.00 to $50.00, which are even cheaper than some Japanese cars.

The car is very quick, the T6 Turbo engines give out 200Kw.

The car is much more durable than some Japanese cars. Cambelt replace at 110,000 Km (My other two Japanese cars- Lexus at 85,000 Km, Accord at 95,000).