are volvos expensive to maintain

Are Volvos Expensive To Maintain

Volvo cars are known around the world for excellence in car manufacturing. They have been part of the Volvo Group, a Swedish manufacturer, since 1927, when SKF acquired it. In 1999, however, Volvo was reformed and split into two companies: Volvo Cars and Volvo Trucks.

Being one of the most reputable brands in the industry, many people love Volvos because of their safety features, durability, and extended warranties. They are one of the most luxurious cars on the market, but that doesn’t mean they don’t come with a hefty price tag always.

are volvos expensive to repair

Reasons how Volvos expensive to maintain

  • A Volvo requires regular maintenance checkups at least every 15k miles or once per year, which typically includes a new oil change, new wiper blades, and a tire rotation. This has the benefit of keeping your entire vehicle in excellent working order.

  • Volvos were one of the very first manufacturers to bring luxury and safety together under one roof. This goes far beyond making sure there is an airbag in every seat and ABS brakes in every vehicle… it is in their entire business model. Everything from the way they test their parts for performance before releasing them to the time and effort they put into designing every last detail on their cars all serve to make Volvos some of the safest and most luxurious vehicles on the road today.

  • Volvos are engineered with weight distribution in mind. This means that they often weigh more than competitors even though they are not made with heavy steel. Some of this added weight comes from their safety features (crumple zones, impact-resistant interiors). Still, a lot of it is due to materials like boron steel which ancient peoples called “the metal of the gods” because it was so strong and lightweight.

  • This company doesn’t take chances with their designs by using bargain bin parts, nor do they make anything on the cheap. One example is how little plastic they use in their construction; there is only about 1/2 pound for every 100 pounds worth of the car. You should also know that Volvo seats are incredibly sturdy and well; you would have to be struck for them to break.

  • If you live in a snowy region and drive your Volvo year-round, know that they have excellent traction control systems and a standard all-wheel-drive which further reduces their risk of getting stuck on ice (or sliding into poor drivers like me). Their size also makes them relatively easy to control (for those who don’t act like jerks) during less than ideal driving conditions.

  • It’s got that classic “Volvo Tax.” If you’re looking to get your car repaired at a local garage, please check for any advice given in the article below on keeping repair costs down. Despite everything we just said, the chances are that if you take care of your Volvo properly, these costs will prove minimal over time… not unlike other cars.

volvo maintenance cost

Most significant Maintenance Expenses and How to Keep Costs Down

The truth is that this depends on how well your Volvo was serviced before you bought it. Many relatively inexpensive parts can be replaced every 60,000 miles or so to increase the life of your Volvo and prevent significant problems from happening down the road. No one wants their car to break down at an inconvenient time so here are some things to check every six months or so:

1. Change engine oil/filter

One of the easiest things you can do yourself as a Volvo owner is change your oil. It’s no surprise that automotive places are willing to sell you oil when it’s time for an oil change, either. Even if you take your Volvo in for an oil change, ask the shop when you can come back in to have it checked, especially if you are reaching six months since the last time it was changed.

The reason this is so important is due to sludge that starts forming on your motor after about 6-8 months of not changing your oil. You don’t have to be a mechanic at all to know what sludge looks like either because it’s pretty apparent when you see it under a microscope.

2. Check spark plugs/wires

If there is one area in your engine that you don’t want sludge in, it’s in here! Spark plugs should be replaced every 60,000 miles or so because they do wear down over time and if they aren’t replaced the arcing that happens between the two electrodes can cause a misfire or damage other parts in your engine. The same goes for spark plug wires as well.

3. Replace fuel filter

This is another one of those inexpensive things to replace, and it will save you money down the road. Your Volvo should have come with a spare fuel filter along with information how often it should be changed so make sure to check this as part of your regular maintenance schedule.

This is especially true if you drive a lot because there is nothing worse than running out of gas and having no replacement filter available!

4. Check brake fluid/flush

Your brake system may sound easy to maintain, but you must check the brake fluid as part of your regular schedule. Volvos used to come with a spare can of brake fluid so be sure to check it and use the recommended brake fluid as listed on its container.

Another thing that should be done every 60,000 miles is a brake flush which is an oil change for your brakes and will ensure they will last you more than 100,000 miles if done regularly.

5. Check suspension system

It doesn’t matter whether your Volvo has front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive because either way, there’s going to be some suspension parts like springs and shock absorbers…and these can wear out after about 60,000 miles (100,000 kilometers). You do hit a bump in the road from time to time.

6. Check engine cooling system

Your Volvo should have either a radiator or a heater core as part of your cooling system, and you should regularly check that this is not leaking. If it’s the radiator, then the coolant needs to be changed about every 60,000 miles as well because minerals in water can collect on radiator fins which will reduce airflow across them and cause your car to overheat.

Also, if it’s a leaking hose, replace this ASAP, so you don’t have water spilling onto hot parts of your engine! How much these parts cost depends on where you take your Volvo for service, but they are generally inexpensive, so it will not hurt your wallet if this.

7. Change oil filter

Finally, an oil change wouldn’t be complete without replacing the oil filter…, and it’s pretty simple too. You can buy an oil filter wrench or use a crescent wrench (carefully!) because you don’t want to scratch the surface of your engine block! This is easy and fast, so if you have done everything else on this list, then there’s no reason not to do this as well.

Conclusion:

If you take care of your Volvo by regularly changing parts that break down with age, then hopefully, there will never be any significant problems happening. Of course, sometimes bad things happen even when you properly maintain a car, but that’s why regular maintenance is so essential because it prevents extensive repairs from having to occur down the road.

And if you are looking to buy a late model Volvo, then try to find one that has regular maintenance records because that would be the best indication of how well it’s been taken care of.