Some owners report misfiring, lumpy acceleration and hesitation in some situations. This appears to be caused by a combination of factors – including the use of non Volvo-recommended replacement spark plugs, fueling with regular gasoline instead of premium, and possible issues with the factory fuel pressure regulator system. To help avoid such drivability issues, be sure to maintain your S40 or V50’s engine with Volvo-approved parts, and feed it premium gasoline.
Finally, avoid any turbocharged model that’s been heavily modified, especially if the owner / seller has ‘turned up’ the boost for additional performance. This could make your Volvo more fun to drive, but it could also turn the engine inside out without notice if modifications and supporting engine tuning weren’t executed properly and professionally.
The Verdict Of A Used Volvo S40/V50: For peace of mind, have your S40 or V50 checked out by a Volvo mechanic ahead of your purchase. No hugely troublesome issues seem apparent in this generation. A stock, non-turbocharged model will be the least costly to run.
Finally, avoid any turbocharged model that’s been heavily modified, especially if the owner / seller has ‘turned up’ the boost for additional performance. This could make your Volvo more fun to drive, but it could also turn the engine inside out without notice if modifications and supporting engine tuning weren’t executed properly and professionally.
The Verdict Of A Used Volvo S40/V50: For peace of mind, have your S40 or V50 checked out by a Volvo mechanic ahead of your purchase. No hugely troublesome issues seem apparent in this generation. A stock, non-turbocharged model will be the least costly to run.
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| 2011 Volvo V50 (Photo: Volvo) |
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