Faults:

In 6 years I have had this Volvo there have been no problems apart from much confusion in Volvo circles on how long a cam-belt lasts on the 1.8i Mitsubishi engine. Just about to get it changed at 99,000 miles - Volvo garage quote £600 and independent garage £350.

General Comments:

I have owned two previous Volvo cars - 2 wardrobes and a 240.

Minor niggle faults in all, but overall very good. This variant however appears to be perfect from quality of build to gizmo's galore and a fuel consumption that I cannot believe. Plenty of room for lots of gear in boot or with seats down and speed not effected by load. On top of that it still looks the bees knees, even in company of brand new cars.

Faults:

Turbocharger wastegate packed up, but I got the turbo repaired for only £100.

Bit of trouble with brakes, rear calipers replaced, ongoing issue.

When I bought it I knew that the rear trailing arm bushes were creaking, but I have sorted that.

General Comments:

The car I bought was quite high mileage and I knew it needed a few things doing, just renewables really like brake pads and discs.

It's quite sporty, handles alright and pretty quick if pushed. Quite comfy to drive although a bit aged now compared with very modern cars. Plenty of airbags and other safety features.

Personally I like the look of the car, and the extra sporty bits on the T4 make it stand out from the normal S40 just enough.

Seems to be plenty of room for 4 inside as well, and a decent enough sized boot.

Faults:

Suspension slightly weaker than previous car (Saab 900SE;

General Comments:

What a revelation! The fully-loaded SE S40 came with a truly sublime fuel efficient GDI engine. The average fuel economy neared a staggering 50 mpg - which is incredibly better than most diesel cars. The very handy Ec0-light system even tells you when the engine is running at optimal fuel efficiency.

The SE model has every conceivable extra including heated leather seats that are just the most mouth-wateringly comfortable seats you can imagine- you really don't want to leave the car (I am always tempted to spend the night just sitting in them). The dash board and dials are a mark of scandinavian superior common-sense and sheer practicality. The superior CD and Radio are supported by surround sound speakers which give deep thundering basses and exquisite trebles.

The 1.8 engine was sprightly and energetic, capable of fantastic over-taking when needed. Also, it was very, very quiet. Superior tyres.

Faults:

Would not engage 1st gear. £60 to fix at the dealer. apparently a common problem. happened 2 years later again.

Scheduled timing belt change at 80,000 miles.

Wiring loom broke under the radiator. As a result the heater blower, hazard lights, parking lights and lighter socket stopped working. approx £140 to fix at main dealer. They say its common problem.

Otherwise just a few blown light bulbs and paintwork scratches very easily!

General Comments:

EXPENSIVE servicing! Fuel consumption not great at about 25mpg. Performance is not bad for a heavy 4 door with a 1.6 engine, but in general its quite slow!

Very quiet and comfortable. great sound system. perfect for long journeys and moving house! good value for money.

Faults:

Front suspension bushes had to be replaced, the condition of the road where I live could well have a bearing on this however.

General Comments:

This car is very comfortable.

Interior on non SE examples in my opinion is bland and slightly uninspiring.

This car has subtle looks which hide a manic power range from 2nd gear on-wards.

Faults:

Fan belt tensioner bearings @ 81,000 miles (£100 / approx $150)

Anti-roll bar mounting kit needed replacing at 87,000 miles (£35 / approx $50)

General Comments:

I've owned my S40 from 69,000 miles when it was under 2 years old, and since then only two very minor faults, which for its age and mileage (now 90,200 and 4 years old) I think is excellent.

The interior, whilst never exactly cutting-edge in design, is still in good condition, and those great seats are showing no signs of deterioration.

The body-work is still pretty much perfect, and more importantly, the whole car feels as solid and well put together as it did when I first drove it, which I'm glad to say is as good as the brand new S40 I test drove recently.

To sum up, I think its going to be going strong at 150,000 miles and beyond - built like the old 240's and 340's that you still see here in the UK today, twenty years or more after they were built.