Used Volvo V70 review: 2008-2013

Before the first decade of the 21^st century was up, there was evidence the cult of the SUV was well and truly gathering pace. Conventional sedans, hatchbacks and even station wagons were falling victim to the almighty SUV, and even station wagon stalwarts like Volvo were revisiting their future model plans.

Which is why diverse Volvo V70 station wagon line-up of previous generations was pared back to just a single model – dubbed T6 AWD - for the 2008 launch of the third-gen V70. Gone were the cooking models and five-cylinder variants with and without turbochargers and in was a high-spec turbocharged six-cylinder V70 with all-wheel drive.

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And where did the previous V70’s customers go for their next Volvo station wagon? To the new XC70, of course, with its jacked-up ride height, tacked on wheel arch extensions, range of trim and driveline options (including a then-sexy turbo-diesel option) and SUV persona.

Which left the V70 with its more conventional looks and stance as some kind of orphan. Thing is, it was probably the better of the two Volvos to drive, with better suspension control and the lower ride height making it more dynamic.

A facelift in 2010 brought a revised engine with slightly more power and a claim of better fuel efficiency.

Is Volvo V70 a good car?

In an overall sense, the V70 was a great car. It typified Volvo’s approach to sensible car-making at a time when the company was being pushed into the fashion-driven SUV world. But when you consider that even a Volvo SUV was never going to be an off-road vehicle, the plane-Jane V70 is now the smarter buy.

With a very similar all-wheel drive system to the XC70, the V70 is all but as competent on slippery or loose surfaces. And nobody has ever complained about the versatility or practicality of a Volvo two-box wagon.

Volvo V70 reliability

Volvo has made its name on reliability, but like any modern car, increasing complexity can take its toll on this aspect. Because of that, Volvo’s once rock-solid reputation for going the distance had faded a little by the time the V70 came along, and it’s fair to say overall reliability was no longer any better than most other mass-market European brands.

Volvo’s simpler (non-turbocharged, front-wheel drive) designs were much less likely to give trouble; proof that complex machinery is often more highly strung.

Volvo V70 problems

The biggest reliability glitch experienced by the V70 was a tendency for some engines to consume excess oil. In the worst cases, entire engines were being replaced under warranty, and you’d like to think any V70s still out there have been fixed or never had the problem in the first place. A compression check prior to purchase would still be a good idea, however.

Some V70s also suffered from poor shift quality in the transmission, and this was sometimes traced back to dirty fluid or a transmission that required a reflash. In a smaller number of cases, the clutches inside the transmission were subject to premature wear.

Like any high-performance turbocharged engine, the turbo unit can have a finite lifespan and is almost considered a consumable item. Allow for this in your budget. The same goes for the individual ignition coils which can break down over time, and the V70 seems pretty hard on suspension bushes (probably a function of its 1800-plus kilo kerb mass) and all-wheel drive loads. Cars like this are also hard on brakes, but in the Volvo’s case, the advice is to replace not just the brake pads but also the rotors at the same time. This can get pretty expensive.

Make sure all the interior electronics work properly, too. If these are on the blink, you could be chasing intermittent problems for a long time.

Volvo V70 recall

Despite Volvo’s reputation for building safe cars, it’s interesting to note the V70 was recalled on a couple of major safety fronts over the years. A batch of cars built in 2008 was recalled to check the operation of the side-airbag system, while some cars built in 2010 and 2011 were recalled to check the front airbag deployment.

Long after the third-gen V70 was discontinued, a recall notice was also issued to check for front seat belt mounts (cables) that could fray and fail over time.

The V70 was also recalled to check cooling fan and fuel-pump operation, and you can check out these recalls in detail by visiting: https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/.

Volvo V70 years to avoid

Early-build cars were the ones most likely to suffer from reliability issues, so the later the build-date, the better the car is likely to be now.

The oil burning problems were reportedly solved by the time the 2012 model landed, so a car with an earlier build date is the one to avoid.

Volvo V70 how many kilometres

People don’t tend to buy Volvo station wagons to look at them in the driveway. So, it’s not uncommon to see examples with 250,000km or even more showing. With proper servicing, this should not signal the end of the vehicle’s useful life, but you’d need to see proof of the correct servicing before handing over the money.

Volvo V70 best model

The post-facelift version of the V70 had more power from the same engine, so it’s probably the one to choose. Beyond that, there’s not much of a decision to be made as the V70 was only available in one trim level and specification (T6 AWD).

If you’re looking for more options in the same package, perhaps look at the previous model (the second-gen V7 from 2000 to 2007) which had a choice of petrol engine outputs, two- or four-wheel drive layouts and different trim levels to suit different budgets. Failing that, the XC70 that sold alongside the third-gen V70 offers turbo-diesel power.

Volvo V70 resale value

Roughies with really high mileage are around for less than $10,000 now, but there’s probably better value in spending closer to the low-teens for something with a service record and more moderate kilometres on board.

Volvo V70 parts

Volvo is a huge global brand and its cars are sold around the world. So, even if you are struggling to find a part in Australia (unlikely) you can always cast the (inter)net wider and shop overseas for cheaper parts.

Be wary of seller you aren’t familiar with, and check out buyer feedback to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable supplier.

Volvo V70 sales

While earlier versions of the V70 were decent sellers for Volvo in Australia, this version was a pretty slow mover in the showroom. It’s unlikely more than a few hundred were sold which is why they’re now hard to find second-hand.