Volvo/Ford engine reliability?

The Ford/PSA 1.6 diesel engine fitted in the Mazda, Ford Focus and Volvo V50, to name a few, is regularly slammed in Volvo owner reviews as clattery, likely to destroy bearings after 3 years, and prone...

Climate control malfunction - how can it be rectified?

I’ve owned a 2009 Volvo V50 from new. From time to time the climate control, when set on automatic, suddenly changes so that it may be limited to a single zone, perhaps coupled with full fan. Other possible...

At what mileage should I change my cam belt?

What is the recommended mileage to change the cam belt on a 2009 Volvo V50 1.6d DRIVe estate? My car has covered 94,000 miles, but I understand the plastic rollers and water pump should be changed as...

Would you recommend the Volvo V50 or Saab 9-3 Estate for a young family?

My daughter and her husband are about to have their first child and need a larger car. They have a limited budget of £5000. I am a believer in quality cars and have suggested either a high mileage diesel...

Should my son change the cam belt on his 125,000-mile Volvo V50?

My eldest son runs a Volvo V50 2.0D and has now covered 125,000 trouble free miles. He has never changed the cam belt and his specialist Volvo garage who has carried out all of the servicing assures him...

Replacing Volvo V50 tyres

I need to replace two rear tyres on my Volvo V50. Should I stay with Pirelli or could you recommended an alternative tyre offering?

What benefits will I get for changing the wheel size of my Volvo V50?

I have just bought a 2012-registered Volvo V50 SE LUX which is on 205/50 R17 tyres. A little research has led me to believe that I would save 30 to 40 per cent on replacement tyres if I changed to 16-inch...

Car for my son for about £6,000

My son has about £6000 to spend. He does about 8 to 10,000 miles pa. He wants a medium (e.g.Focus) sized car for commuting and pleasure. His priorities are reliablity and economy, although being a 30...

Hankook Ventus Prime 2 K115 - any good?

I am due to renew all tyres on my 2008 Volvo V50 SE (205 50 R17 93) and have found Hankook Ventus Prime 2 K115 tyres as a possibility. These tyres appear to have scored well on the 'tyre labelling' system...

Should we buy a Volvo V50 or an Audi A4 estate?

I was looking at a used Volkswagen Touran but test-drove one and wasn't happy with it. As we are a four-member family, we don't really need seven seats, more a good size boot for weekend trips away. I...