How Long Do Volvos Last? (Explained)

Volvo is a luxury car brand that has been around since 1927 and is hailed as the safest car in the world.

If you’re thinking about buying a Volvo, you’re probably curious about how reliable it is. But how long do Volvos last?

With proper maintenance, Volvos should last around 200,000 miles before extensive repairs are needed. That means that based on an average yearly mileage of 15,000 miles, they should last around 13 years.

Read on to find out how reliable Volvos are, whether they have lots of problems, how expensive they are to maintain, and what you can do to make your Volvo last longer.

How Many Miles Will A Volvo Last?

Most Volvos will last around 200,000 miles before major repairs are needed as long as they are cared for properly.

We’ve even seen reports from Volvo owners with over a million miles on their odometer.

If you want to get the most miles out of your Volvo, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance.

How Many Years Does A Volvo Last?

A well-maintained Volvo should last around 13 years based on the average annual mileage of 15,0000 miles.

That said, you must keep up with vital maintenance like oil changes and tire pressure checks if you expect to own your Volvo for as many years as possible.

Are Volvos Reliable?

Volvos get pretty average reliability scores when compared to other brands.

For example, RepairPal rated Volvo a 3.5 out of 5 for reliability, ranking it 17th out of 32 brands for dependability.

Consumer Reports ranks Volvo 18th out of 32 car brands for reliability.

Do Volvos Have A Lot of Problems?

Volvos usually have fewer problems than other similar brands.

Many Volvo owners report that their Volvos have fewer problems than other cars they have driven.

Repair Pal reports that only 9% of Volvo’s repairs are considered severe compared to a 12% figure for all other vehicles across all brands.

Some of the most common Volvo problems are:

  • Prematurely burning oil
  • Electrical issues
  • Soft brake rotors

What Are The Most Reliable Volvo Models?

The most reliable Volvo models are the 2021 S60, the 2017 XC60, and the 2010 V70.

The 2021 Volvo S60 earned a 4 out of 5 for reliability from Consumer Reports.

J.D. Power gave the 2017 Volvo S90 an 81 out of 100 for reliability, which is considered great according to their scoring model.

U.S. News and World Reports rate the 2010 Volvo V70 a 3.5 out of 5 for reliability and #7 overall for all 2010 wagons across all brands.

What Are The Least Reliable Volvo Models?

The least reliable Volvo models are the 2018 V90 and S90, and the 2017 Volvo XC90.

The 2018 Volvo V90 only earned a 2.5 out of 5 for reliability, according to U.S. News and World Reports.

The 2018 Volvo S90 scored a 1 out of 5 for reliability on Consumer Reports.

Significant problems with the engine were cited as a primary contributing factor to this rating.

J.D. Power gave the 2017 Volvo XC90 a 61 out of 100 for reliability.

What Is High Mileage For A Volvo?

A Volvo is considered high mileage once 100,000 miles are on the clock.

That said, it’s more common for a Volvo to last around 200,000 miles before major repairs are necessary.

Volvos can last many miles with regular maintenance.

Still, if they aren’t cared for properly, they won’t last as long.

Be sure to thoroughly check the service history on used Volvos for things like overdue oil changes to decide whether a high-mileage Volvo is a good buy.

Do Volvo Last Forever?

While Volvos don’t last forever, they can last a very long time when cared for by responsible owners.

One Volvo holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-lasting vehicle, with more than 3.2 million miles on the car! The owner drove it an average of 90,000 to 100,000 miles a year!

That said, Volvos must be very well maintained to last a long time.

As long as you keep up with Volvo’s recommended maintenance schedule, you can count on many years of reliable travel.

Do Volvos Hold Their Value?

Volvos are inconsistent when it comes to holding their value.

For example, according to CarEdge, 2020 Volvos only hold 79.48% of their value with 91.67% of their life left, which means they lost a little more than 20% of their value in only one year.

On the other hand, 2016 Volvos hold 45.04% of their value with 58.33 percent of their life left, which means they only lost a little less than 11% of their value each year since they were released.

Do Volvos Last As Long As Toyotas?

Toyotas last longer than Volvos.

Major sources rank Toyota far better for reliability than Volvo.

Repair Pal rates Volvo 3.5 out of 5 for reliability and Toyota 4 out of 5.

The same source ranked Toyota #8 and Volvo #17 for reliability across 32 other brands.

Consumer Reports ranked Toyota #7 and Volvo #20 for best of all car brands, with reliability as a significant deciding factor in their ratings.

Are Volvos Expensive To Maintain?

Volvos are expensive to maintain compared to other vehicles.

According to Repair Pal, the average annual cost for maintenance of a Volvo is $769 versus a price of $652 for other cars of all brands.

That said, Volvo is one of the cheapest luxury cars to maintain.

For example, Audi’s annual cost to maintain is $987, and BMW’s is $986 compared to Volvo’s $769, so if you’re looking for a luxury vehicle, Volvo is the most cost-effective option.

Volvo owners agree that the vehicles are expensive to maintain and say that you can expect it to cost you any time a repair is needed.

You might also like: Top 10 Cheapest BMWs to Maintain (Revealed)

How Long Do Volvo Tires Last?

Volvo tires should last about three years before replacements are needed.

Volvo tire warranties usually last anywhere from three to five years, depending on the type of tire.

That said, new tires may be needed sooner if your tire pressure is frequently low or you notice any cracks, bulges, or foreign objects on your tires.

 Volvo recommends frequent tire pressure checks and visual checks on your tires to make them last as long as possible.

You might also like: How Long Do Michelin Tires Last? (Explained)

How Long Do Volvo Batteries Last?

Volvo batteries should last between five and ten years in ideal conditions.

 Volvo offers a 5-year warranty on their batteries.

That said, hybrid batteries can last up to ten years.

If you want to get the most life out of your Volvo battery, frequently check the terminals for corrosion and make sure connections are always tight.

How Long Do Volvo Engines Last?

Volvo engines should last about 200,000 miles or more with responsible maintenance.

That means if you drive the usual 15,000 miles a year, your engine can last you 13 years or longer!

Volvo owners report that if you take care of your vehicle by following Volvo’s recommended maintenance schedule, you can go far beyond 200,000 miles before the engine goes out.

Paying particular attention to things like oil changes and brake fluid replacements and avoiding the delay of repairs when needed are a few things you can do to extend the lifespan of your Volvo engine.

How Long Do Volvo Transmissions Last?

Volvo transmissions should last about 200,000 miles or 13 years before major repairs are needed.

One Volvo owner even reported their transmission lasting nearly 250,000 miles with no transmission issues in sight.

Make sure to frequently check transmission fluid levels and adequately warm up your car before driving it to make your Volvo’s transmission last longer.

How To Make A Volvo Last Longer

The best way to make a Volvo last longer is to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.

According to Volvo’s maintenance guide, here are a few important maintenance items you should pay attention to:

  • Bring new Volvos in at least once a year for the first three years for service
  • Change engine oil and service brakes every 10,000 miles
  • Engine, transmission, and timing gear check every 20,000 miles
  • Replace spark plugs every 60,000 miles

Final Thoughts – Volvo Life Expectancy

Volvos should last 200,000 miles or 13 years free of major repairs.

These luxury vehicles are reliable and one of the least expensive of all luxury brands to maintain.

If you want to make your Volvo last, closely follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.

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