Used Volvo V40 review ~ station of gear

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21 May, 2016 2:00pm Richard Dredge

A full used buyer’s guide on the Volvo V40 covering the V40 Mk2 (2012-date)

Small family hatchbacks are among the most popular types of car, so the rewards can be massive for any maker that hits the spot. And the last time Volvo tackled this class, it was with the Ford Focus-based C30, which looked neat but just wasn’t practical enough for carrying a family and its luggage.

So when the V40 hit dealers in 2012, expectations were high. It had five doors rather than the C30’s three, seats for five instead of four, and a boot that could carry more than just a briefcase or a couple of bags of shopping. But it was when the new car set a new Euro NCAP crash test record score that it became clear the V40 is a seriously safe choice for family buyers.

Models covered

The latest Volvo V40 arrived in showrooms in late 2012 and quickly proved popular. The original V40 was built from 1995 to 2012 as the estate version of the S40, but it's the newer hatchback V40 that we’re focusing on here.

• Volvo V40 Mk2 (2012-date) - Alternative premium hatch is an incredibly safe family car

Volvo V40 Mk2

Prices from £9,000

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History

The first V40s were delivered in September 2012, and buyers got a choice of a 1.6-litre petrol engine in 148bhp T3 or 177bhp T4 forms, or 113bhp D2 1.6, 148bhp D3 2.0 or 174bhp D4 2.0-litre diesels. Initially, there were ES, SE and SE Lux trim levels, but by January 2013 these had been joined by R-Design and Cross Country (XC) trims.

A D2 auto arrived in spring that year, alongside a 120bhp 1.6-litre T2, then in May 2014 the D4 engine was given a boost to 190bhp. For May 2015, there was a new 1.5-litre petrol engine, in T2 auto and T3 auto forms. By summer that year all V40s were fitted with Drive-E powertrains, to cut CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy.

Volvo V40 reviews

Volvo V40 in-depth review
Volvo V40 D2 ES review
Volvo V40 D2 SE review
Volvo V40 D2 R-Design review
Volvo V40 D3 review
Volvo V40 D4 review
Volvo V40 T3 SE Lux review
Volvo V40 T3 R-Design review
Volvo V40 T4 review
Volvo V40 Polestar performance parts review
Volvo V40 long-term test review

Which one should I buy?

None of the engines is weak, but the six-speed automatic box fitted until summer 2014 isn’t very slick or efficient; the eight-speeder that followed is much better.

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The entry-level ES gets Bluetooth, climate control, a multifunction steering wheel, alloy wheels and electric windows front and rear. SE adds cruise control, upgraded interior trim and auto-folding power door mirrors, while the SE Lux also features leather-faced seats, 17-inch alloys and xenon lights.

Go for the R-Design, and you benefit from a bigger dash screen (eight inches instead of five) and sportier detailing inside and out. Although the Cross Country SE and Lux are marketed as separate models, they’re really just trim levels, and benefit from a raised ride height and chunkier styling.

Alternatives to the Volvo V40

Audi, BMW and Mercedes all offer excellent rivals to the V40, but they tend to cost more second-hand. The Audi A3 comes in three or five-door forms with efficient engines, the option of four-wheel drive, superb build quality and excellent refinement.

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BMW’s 1 Series is the best driver’s car in this class, and also features very efficient engines. It’s well built and reliable, while carrying capacity is another selling point.

The latest Mercedes A-Class looks good, but isn’t as strong all-round as the A3 and 1 Series. The Volvo is much cheaper than any of these cars, though. And if value is your main priority, don’t dismiss the Mazda 3, Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf: all are solid, fun to drive and offer plenty for the money.

What to look for:

Interior

The V40 feels well built, but while the hi-tech instrumentation is clear, the dash is fussy. The rear seats are spacious enough; they just feel claustrophobic due to the high waistline. Yet it’s the boot that lets the Volvo down; it provides just 335 litres of space, including 16 litres under the boot floor.

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Parking

If you’re not confident with parallel parking, even with sensors, buy a car with Park Assist Pilot. This takes over the steering, and will get you into even the tightest of spaces.

Rattles

Many owners have reported rattles from the centre console. Dealers know about the issue and can resolve it; Volvo sent out a notice about it.

Visibility

As the car has such poor rear visibility – especially the rear three-quarter view – look out for scrapes on the bodywork. Parking sensors are a must-have piece of kit, too.

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DAB radio

All versions of the V40 come equipped with a DAB radio as standard. Yet even in areas with a decent signal, it can drop out for no apparent reason, and revert to FM.

Running costs

All V40s need a service every 18,000 miles or 12 months, apart from the D2 which cuts this to just 12,500 miles or 12 months. Costs range from £205-£400 for petrol cars, while diesel services are priced between £250 and £405.

However, all V40 engines have a timing belt which has to be replaced between six years/87,500 miles and eight years/144,000 miles (there are four schedules depending on powerplant). With the cost of replacing a petrol V40’s belt set at £740 (including a full service) and a diesel’s at £895, it’s not a cheap job. The brake fluid also needs to be refreshed every two years, and this costs around £60.

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Recalls

Volvo tends to issue recalls for the most minor of issues, so it’s reassuring that the V40 has been called back just once. The campaign, launched in March 2014, involved 1,492 cars built from November 2013 to March 2014.

The issue centred on a software glitch in the car’s ECU. This could lead to the nearside tail-light not working, then a warning on the car’s instrument panel. But the fix was very simple; a software update was all that was needed.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

Having made its debut in our Driver Power satisfaction survey in a fine 19th place in 2014, the V40 did even better in 2015, finishing 15th. However, a sharp drop in 2016 has seen it fall 63 places to 78th. It’s top ranking was 10th for seat comfort, while 29th for running costs and 30th for in-car tech were also good news. Ultimately, what dragged the Volvo down overall were its ranking for ride quality (143rd) and practicality (135th).

The V40 has done great things for Volvo, but it hasn’t broken the German brands’ grip on the premium hatch market, which is why you’ll get more for your money with one. While the V40 arguably isn’t quite as slick as its competitors, it’s far more distinctive, and as a family car it comes with one of the most compelling sales pitches of all: class-leading safety. When we ran a D2 on our fleet, we loved its comfortable seats, smooth engine and strong economy. True, the car is compromised on practicality, but as safe and stylish family transport it’s one of the best-value small hatchbacks you can buy used.

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