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My dad's looking at buying a Volvo XC60. Its main duties will be local use, long drives when they go away and towing their caravan. It looks suited to the task. I think he's looking at a diesel.
The potential issue I see is the age of the cars he's looking at, 7-8 years old. His current car, a diesel Jag estate was bought at a similar age. He's since spent £1ks on fixing an engine problem, plus there have been several other niggling issues over the years. I get the impression that if he bought a newer car, spending more up front, it would be better value. He might get some warranty cover, have fewer issues and avoid expensive repairs. It always seems he's had an issue with cost vs value. To him, things are either cheap or expensive, value for money seems irrelevant. Quite a few examples of this over the years, e.g. buying a refurb'ed Dyson then being annoyed it failed outside of the (shorter than if bought new) warranty.
Any advice on Volvo XC60s in particular? Any alternatives? Do Volvos have a "luxury" brand tax? Are they expensive to repair?
Also my thinking is 7-8 years old is when people move cars on because they fear large bills looming. Am I right in that?
A 7-8 year old XC60 is a better proposition than even a new Jaguar.
Worth taking a look the Lexus SUV. Very similar and reliable.
2016 Plate Volvo XC 60 owner here. D4 R design. Manual.
Good points - Very very comfortable, well built, mine has been reliable. 47 Mpg which is ok for a big 2.4L motor. Mixture of around town and A roads. Lovely strong engine. I'm in Cumbria and its great in the snow.
Bad Points - test drove the Auto version. Just horrible, the auto box was a mess. Servicing at Main dealer is expensive, I use a great local garage to keep costs down. Mine's coming up for its first cambelt change (110k) which I am going to take to the main dealer for piece of mind as it's a faff. Won't get any change from £800 for that. Prone to suspension issues, but mine was a Volvo Select used, so all of that was done before I bought it. Not massive inside, but the space is ok. D4 2.4 and D5 are the better engines.
First car I'm going to keep for a few years as they age quite well.
First car I’m going to keep for a few years as they age quite well.
Yeah, they do seem like that, hence I'd like him to think about that. If you buy an 8 year old car to keep for 6 years then it's going to be 14 years old. If you go for a 2 year old car (big jump, but it's an example) and keep it for 8 years then you have a 10 year old car.
I liked my XC60 (2017 model) it was the 2.4l 5-cylinder diesel (I think) and it just happily chugged along. The only (really) bad thing about it was the turning circle – it's the only car where I have noticed it – just trying to pull into parking spaces would end up being a multi-point manoeuvre.
I still see a few 59 plate XC 60's around, and apart from some external trim they could pass as 2012/14 models.
I went from a V40, and had the chance to buy the XC. Glad I went to a main dealer, as the indi garage checked it over, and confirmed most of the suspension arms were new. I had a breather pipe issue which split and caused the car to go into limp mode, but it was sorted quickly under warranty.
The interior for a car thats done over 110k is great, no wear on the seats/trim. Could easily pass for 40k car.
Only experience was a 2013 V70 D3 (5-cyl) we had for 5 years and 80k, we sold at 148k miles.
It was very reliable, easy to fix and a solid feeling lump. Most parts were ok, some cheap as they were shared with Ford and Landrover (brakes etc). Volvo specific parts (intercooler hose adaptor) was eyewatering (£200+ IIRC for plastic).
In the 80k we had a dirty turbo and egr when we first bought it, one bust handbrake motor, split egr thing and a MAF sensor.
A jag is there he went wrong there re expensive repairs, not age of vehicle.
Do Volvos have a “luxury” brand tax? Are they expensive to repair?
Probably cheaper than Audi/BMW generally, but not 'cheap' but also find an indie volvo speacialist - as above volvo dealers are expensive, crazy money for stanard annual service last time I checked.
I'm a big fan of Volvo's and regularly post about my '04 and '10 plate V70 and XC90 on here.
As above - go for the D5 2.4, it's reliable and tows well. The only issues being the auxiliary belt and alternator pulley need changing regularly and
Volvo specific parts (intercooler hose adaptor) was eyewatering (£200+ IIRC for plastic).
the turbo resonator pipe is crap and should be replaced with an eBay £30 silicone job instead.
A few Volvo main dealers have eBay shops for genuine service items (brakes, timing belt kits etc). OEM parts (ATE for brakes, Lemforder bushes etc) are available from Autodoc for decent prices.
Front wishbones eat their bushes but are quick and easy to change. Gearbox and Haldex are 'sealed for life' but fluids should be changed regularly.
Find a good local Volvo independent specialist who has Vida (not a generic back street garage) and it will be a good reliable car.
On my 2nd XC60. The 7 year old model is a bit agricultural, but super comfy. I'd get it in a D5 auto if I was your dad. The auto box is not as awful as many make out, especially when you have the extra grunt of the D5 engine. Servicing costs are what you'd expect for the type and size of car it is. Not cheap, but OK.
The newer model is a real step up in luxury and refinement, but it comes at a cost. Both in buying one and servicing. While I really like the I've got, I'm considering selling as it's residual value is blinking high, and I could do with extra cash at the mo. I'd still recommend a D5 as the auto box is occasionally a bit annoying with the D4 I have. Smarting about having to pay mega bucks to get all 4 discs and pads changed plus two new tyres at its latest service.
Also my thinking is 7-8 years old is when people move cars on because they fear large bills looming. Am I right in that?
I hear this a lot. Maybe I'm just lucky but I've never had a car under about 14 years old give me any serious grief! My current car is nearly 15 and (touch wood) hasn't needed any major jobs.
A friend of mine has an ‘R’-reg Volvo V70 estate, which currently has a pile of printers pallets in the back*, and he was quite pleased that it went through its recent MOT without any issues at all.
An alternative might be an Octavia or Superb Estate, nice big space in the back, and the VAG DSG auto-box is about as smooth as you’ll get. My Octavia was four years old when I bought it, it was nineteen when I got rid of it, mainly because it needed a new turbo, and the car was effectively worthless.
<br />*They’re good quality untreated timber, so get used for all sorts of things. I used to bring them home when I used to work at the same place, my dad used to use them for making stuff. I could get three in the back of my Octavia hatchback.
Tyres were an eye watering amount per corner if I remember rightly when the next door neighbour told me the price a while ago
I hear this a lot. Maybe I’m just lucky but I’ve never had a car under about 14 years old give me any serious grief! My current car is nearly 15 and (touch wood) hasn’t needed any major jobs.
We have a 14 year old car too. I'm just not sure of the merits of buying a diesel car at 7-8 years old approaching 100k miles. Yes it will likely go on and do many more miles, but you're close to the point where things like the cambelt, egr, dpf, injectors etc. could need replacing. Older or newer cars might be better as they've either had those things done or are a way off needing them.
We also looked at the XC 60 and got a CRV instead, just seemed to get newer and lower miles for the same money at the time. The missus really wanted the XC 60 though so it's probably going to be our next car.
Ive got a 2015 D4 AWD XC60, had it just over 4 years doing 20k+ miles a year in it. Id echo most of the above - the auto box can feel a bit clunky but everything else is rock solid.
And i can fit my 29+ bike or fatbike in the boot seats down, without taking any wheels off.
Mine came from a main dealer with 3 years warranty. Ive always taken it back there for servicing as although its more expensive, i get a years volvo european breakdown cover included and a valet which more than makes up for the difference.
Im on a company car allowance with 150k mile limit so will have to change it in the coming year. Ill probably get another XC60 (maybe recharge) but will be sad to see this one go. Its great to drive especially in foul weather.
Diesel CRV. Our 59 plate won’t die and it’s done 190k (so far) without ever going wrong. It has had a new clutch and alternator. And that’s it. We looked at Volvos this time around as a replacement for when the CRV might die. But went for something more fun since the CRV is not ULEZ compliant. Son2 is currently driving around Ireland whilst the nice car is here on the drive. I’ll probably die before it does.
Big volvo fan here
However just like a lot of manufacturers they aren't as well built or reliable as what they once was,but they are still way above a lot of premium manufacturers in terms of longevity and reliability.
I personally don't rate the new diesel engines especially with age and mileage on them ,even when fully main dealer stamped to the hilt injectors dpfs become expensive
Get a petrol especially if your not doing big miles
I've had both cars as Volvos (own and wifes) for the last 15 years or so with no failures to proceed and very few unexpected bills. Not perfect but pretty good, I like the premium but not German thing also. Any brand can throw up lemons I reckon, always worth looking at a few so you can calibrate your eye to identify a good one......
Get a petrol especially if your not doing big miles
He's convinced he needs a diesel, yet only does 10k a year.
I think the XC60 is a good choice of car but he's not looking at the right ones
As there's a caravan to tow he's looking at towbars.... second hand, that he might fit himself
Left-field, Kia Sportage.
Get the AWD 2.0d auto and it's got a 2 tonne tow capacity and he should be able to find one still with a few years left on the 7-year warranty.
My wife tows a lot, horse & trailer - she's happy with it, just doesn't like the 'badge'.
As there’s a caravan to tow he’s looking at towbars…. second hand, that he might fit himself
Can he programme it into the electrics? I would have though the XC60 fits into the 'needs electronic tools' for a towbar...
And fitting towbars to modern cars isn't a DIY job anymore IME - the metal is the easy bit, the electrics & coding...
There are aftermarket software options now to change coding when you fit optional extras rather than having to pay a dealer each time, Vdash is the most well know Volvo one, but can get quite pricey if you are going to add a few options, the also dont give you the vehicles PIN.
p3tool is only $50, and lets you add options, plus you get the CEM PIN
We’ve a ‘14 plate 2.4 D4 AWD xc60 - comfort edition.
It’s a exceptionally comfortable car to drive with excellent passenger safety. Got a pretty massive boot too - seats up last weekend we got a Croozer, 3xbags of firewood, 3x60l holdalls, a travel cot, high chair and baby carrier rucksac and a whole loads of odd an ends in the boot.
it’s a lovely, comfortable and very safe way for my family to waft about and the boot makes it very practical too.
would definitely recommend and I wholly expect/hope to keep it ‘till the end of diesel pumps.