Faults:

As a novice mechanic, regular maintenance is pain free.

Sagging headliner and cracked turn signal lenses are common.

Brake pedal effort is often, too light.

Electrical problems with distributor, hall effect sensor, and fuel pump relay.

General Comments:

This car has a nearly bulletproof engine and transmission. Power and handling are excellent for a 4 door "family car." The leather seats have outstanding comfort and support. The only downfall is the electrical system; it can be difficult to find mechanics to work on a Volvo of this age.

Faults:

Head gasket needed replacing because of slight water leak down the side of the engine block.

Water pump needed replacing due to slight water leak.

Noisy fuel pump.

General Comments:

Although I was surprised that the head gasket went, the quality of the car is amazing. It is 15 years old and there is hardly a spot of rust anywhere. It looks like it should last for years to come. I thought I was mad paying £2400 for it 4 years ago, but it is the best value car I have ever bought. Using a good back-street Volvo mechanic has helped in keeping the cost of repairs low.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing. I only replaced the timing belt which is normal car maintenance.

General Comments:

Very reliable. On average these cars will last between 200000 and 400000 miles. Some have been known to go higher. Very comfortable leather interior. I Definitely have nothing to complain about and probably never will!

Faults:

My A/C leak at compressor at 168,000miles. Did repair myself for $330.00.

At 170,000 miles I replaced real main seal trans seals output bushing and drive shaft components and suspension rubber.

General Comments:

My first Volvo went to 490,000 mile with small repairs.

This 740 just keeps going.

Faults:

Nearly nothing.

The parking-brake-wire has been replaced.

I recently replaced the front brakes. They had never been replaced before!

I had to fix the exhaust-system.

General Comments:

Probably the best car, ever made.

My father bought this car new, in 1988. So I know its whole history. After nearly 430000km, its still a very good car. And the problems have been very few, through the years.

Faults:

Oil leaks due to blocked breather.

Tailgate struts renewed.

Rear shocks renewed.

Injector seals renewed.

General Comments:

This is one solid comfortable motor.

Very roomy and has the best seats I have ever known in a car.

The downsides are, mediocre performance and a great liking for petrol.

Faults:

A couple of minor things that I didn't notice when I bought it. These included drivers side heated seat and rear window wiper. I have since fixed the rear wiper (the motor just needed lubricating - I used motorbike chain lube).

The 'in gear' engine safety switch blew once which prevented the engine from starting even though not in drive. This cost 150 quid to fix.

The fuel pump also makes a lot of noise, but still works.

General Comments:

I bought this car (1,300GBP), with the intention of keeping it 6 months as I had just opted out of a company car scheme and was waiting for a new car on order. I was doing a lot of Do It Yourself also, so needed a big car.

It's been absolutely fantastic, very comfortable and extremely well made (more comfortable than my Merc SLK!). Even after 15 years there are no squeeks and rattles. I've done 31,000 miles and serviced it once myself. It does 500 miles a week at the moment and still cruises well at 85. I've been trying to run it into the ground for the last 18 months, but it just won't give up.

The only downside that goes with a car like this is the fuel economy, but then when you drive a 2 tonne brick at motorway speeds, it's not really surprising that it avg 25-28mpg.

The fuel tank is also a bit small for a car of this size