Faults:

Radiator,180000 miles battery 195000 clutch 200000 miles head gasket 210000 miles.

General Comments:

I am bored silly with this car, but it just looks superb, there is NO rust on the body whatsoever. The car cost me £700 and TEN YEARS on it has proved to be very cost effective. Yes there has been money spent, but considering it`s age and the fact that it now runs perfectly and has done since last major work, the car is a credit to Volvo.

Faults:

The steering got a little sloppy after 150000 so I got that fixed. That was about $1200.00 and wasn't really necessary, but certainly tightened the steering considerably.

The tailights had to be replaced once. They stick out so if you back into something they break. $450.00. They also retain moisture, so if you live in a rainy climate, you should drill some discreet holes in the light assemblies at the bottom for drainage of moisture.

The sunroof was half open and ripped out and blew away when driving through a deep canyon in exceptionally windy conditions.

The alternator went out. Then bought an after market alternator. Big mistake. Went out three times and they replaced with a Bosch alternator. Only use genuine Volvo parts for this car and only take it to someone exceptionally familiar with Volvo repair.

Overheated one time in 1992, and belts broke once. Replace the timing belt every time you have that area open, such as changing alternator, or every 50000.

There was a relay behind the dash that caused the car to stutter and seem like a transmission problem when the air conditioner or defroster was on. This relay is the most likely cause and you should suggest it before the repairman experiments any further on solutions for that problem.

General Comments:

An exceptional value. If you find one of these models used that is clean and has a maintenance record and low miles, you can't go wrong. It is a world class auto that is inexpensive to maintain in the long haul. I spent more money maintaining my 1982 Chevy Cavalier than I did with this car. Look at such a purchase for the long term. Be patient. Sometimes repairs can come all at once and parts are expensive, but then not any more repairs for years and years. Built like a Russian army tank, I slammed the doors open on concrete pillars many times and it never dented.

Faults:

Nothing special! Water pump, brake shoes replaced at 210.000 km, clutch at 280.000 km, timing belt at 260.000 km... Front seats are worn out (the car is almost 20 years old now) and the seat heaters are out of order :-)

General Comments:

The car has the original engine and is still running very good. It runs with an LPG system... which is very attractive due to the relatively low price of the fuel. The car is just RELIABLE.

The car is ROOMY and really designed for a HEAVY-DUTY use.

Would love to have the seat heater repaired again... I would keep the car until it falls apart.

Faults:

Hard to find electrical faults.

Thank you to brickboard.com for help.

Volvo company screws customers on parts.

General Comments:

I've got 350,000 on a Turbo wagon. It is still very fast, but the motor oil has to be checked every week. Some blow-by is exhibited from the dipstick tube. The motor and turbo (probably due) have not been touched, other than regular oil and filter changes, plugs, etc.

Volvo parts are pricey, and there is not the non-original range as available as say Merc spares.

Apart from the normal stuff, watch the hoses, heater tap, etc, and change before they fail.

Electrics can play up, mostly due simple faults that can be hard to trace without the help of something like brickboard.com

My wife drives this 740T, but I have been impressed enough to keep with it, and bought a near perfect 940 sedan with 205,000 for myself. I converted the 940 to LPG/gasoline, and I expect 500,000 on that.