Volvo V50 (2004 - 2012) 2.0D S 5d Owner Review

Since I purchased the car I have paid out in excess of £100 in maintenance every year. The problems have included replacement dual mass flywheel and clutch (engine started up and sounded like I'd thrown in a bag of spanners!), replacement pads,discs, springs, wheel bearings etc etc. Quite apart from tyres and usual service stuff. Overall with depreciation cost has been over £2000 per year. I am not alone as my friend who has the same car has had three clutches in the last 18 months and says it is the most expensive car he has ever owned. The last throw of the dice was a faulty ignition switch (car would not start other than by bump starting). Another £350 down the drain and no confidence I can use it without getting stranded!! Best specced car in its class though including heated cream leather, electric seats heated mirrors etc. The next owner might be lucky but I'm selling as soon as I can find a decent replacement. Like many modern estates the swept down rear end means you cant get tall items in through the tailgate (sometimes better to load through the side door - not the Volvo style of old though.). Very disappointed as Volvos used to be a byword for reliability - - oh well..