Are Volvos Expensive To Maintain?
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Luxury cars are some of the most fantastic rides with top-tier performance, comfort, and amenities. However, luxury models are also known for being unreliable, which is why many would-be buyers are worried about their actual ownership costs. True enough, the repair and maintenance of luxury cars can be costly.
But what about in the case of Volvo? Are Volvos expensive to maintain?
Volvo is indeed a luxury brand with relatively high repair and maintenance costs. However, when comparing Volvo to other luxury brands like BMW and Cadillac, you might be pleasantly surprised.
For today’s post, we’ll talk about Volvo’s reliability and find out how expensive it is to maintain these luxury cars. How much can you expect to pay when maintaining a Volvo? What are the standard services required and their costs? Let’s take a look!
Volvo Vehicles: Are They Reliable?
When talking about reliability, most people wouldn’t think of luxury brands. However, Volvo can hold its head high as one of the most reliable luxury car brands in the industry, even compared to non-luxury companies.
Are Volvos reliable? For this question, we refer to the folks at RepairPal. According to them, Volvo has a reliability score of 3.5 out of 5.0 with an Above Average rating. This gives Volvo a rank of 17th out of 32 car brands, which is excellent for a luxury brand.
Based on RepairPal’s reliability rating system, a car’s reliability depends on three factors: the average annual repair cost, frequency of unscheduled repairs, and the severity of the repairs.
- Average annual repair cost = $769 per year. This is about a hundred dollars higher than the national average of $652 across all models for unscheduled repairs – including non-luxury brands.
- Average visits per year = 0.5 times a year. This figure means that Volvo owners get to keep their vehicles on the road more than any other luxury brand. Not bad at all, considering the general average is 0.4 times a year across all brands.
- Probability of major repairs = 9% of repairs. This percentage means that only 9% of Volvo repairs across all models are considered severe. It’s a big win for Volvo since the overall average is 12% across all models and brands.
The annual repair cost for Volvo isn’t all that surprising since it’s a luxury brand. But that doesn’t imply unreliability. Conversely, since the average visits per year and probability of major repairs are within the national average, Volvo is a highly reliable brand. The high annual repair cost means that the parts and services are expensive.
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The Costs of Maintaining a Volvo
Are Volvos expensive to maintain? Well, it depends on which model you have. Like all car brands, Volvo’s maintenance cost will vary depending on your specific model. For example, your grandpa’s old Volvo sedan has very different maintenance costs than an XC60 SUV.
For this section, we’ll take a look at the repair and maintenance costs for some of the most popular Volvo models.
Volvo XC60 Maintenance Costs
The XV60 is well-received by critics and customers alike, thanks to its lavish cabin, generous cargo, and robust powertrains. As per RepairPal, the XC60 boasts a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, with a rank of 4th out of 11 luxury compact SUVs. Having said that, XC60 owners can expect to shell out an average of $746 for unscheduled repairs.
While the repair costs of XC60 are higher than the general average ($652), the SUV more than makes up in frequency and repair severity, XC60 owners are likely to take their vehicle to a mechanic 0.5 times a year, compared to 0.6 times for its segment and 0.4 times across all brand models. Furthermore, only 7% of Volvo repairs are considered severe compared to 12% for all vehicle models.
Volvo S80 Maintenance Costs
The Volvo S60 is a drama-free vehicle that presents a solid alternative to flashier luxury sedans. RepairPal gave the S80 a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, with an annual ownership cost of $750 for unscheduled repairs.
Once again, the S80 proves how reliable Volvo vehicles are. S80 owners are likely to bring their car to the mechanic 0.5 times a year, slightly lower than the average of 0.6 times for luxury midsize cars. Meanwhile, the repair severity of S80 sedans is 8%, which is a great deal lower than 12% for all vehicle models.
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Volvo XC90 Maintenance Costs
Like the S80 and XC60, the Volvo XC90 enjoyed a good reception from critics and consumers. The XC90 has a reliability score of 3.5 out of 5.0 with an ownership cost of $851, compared to $807 for luxury midsize SUVs and $652 across all vehicle models.
While the XC90 is one of the most expensive Volvos to maintain, it has an average frequency of repairs at 0.6 times per year and an 11% probability rate of major repairs.
Average Costs of Common Maintenance Services for Volvo
Are Volvos expensive to maintain? Here are the standard services for Volvo vehicles and their costs.
Oil Change
- When: Volvo recommends an oil change every 7,500-10,000 miles
- Cost: $76 - $129
- Why: Keep your engine clean and working properly
Tire Replacement
- When: Three to four years for standard all-season tires
- Cost: $150 - $350 per tire
- Why: Old, worn-out tires can result in hydroplaning and accidents
Cabin Air Filter Replacement
- When: Volvo recommends a replacement for the cabin air filter at around 20,000 miles
- Cost: Between $100 and $142
- Why: To keep optimal air circulation within the interior and prevent pollution
Spark Plug Replacement
- When: Volvo recommends changing spark plugs every 60,000 miles
- Cost: Between $213 and $235
- Why: Replacing old spark plugs is basic preventative maintenance and ensures your Volvo is working great at all times.
Engine Replacement
- When: Your engine is worn-out, damaged, or failing
- Cost: $4,000 and $6,700
- Why: Engine replacement is still cheaper than buying a new vehicle.
Are Volvos expensive to maintain? Volvos are surprisingly reliable for a luxury brand and have reasonable maintenance costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Volvo’s reliability compare to other luxury car brands?
A: Volvo stands out as one of the industry’s most reliable luxury car brands, even when compared to non-luxury companies. With a RepairPal reliability score of 3.5 out of 5.0 and an “Above Average” rating, Volvo ranks an impressive 17th out of 32 car brands.
Q: Do maintenance costs vary between different Volvo models?
A: Yes, maintenance costs can vary depending on the specific Volvo model you own. For example, the Volvo XC60 SUV has an average annual repair cost of $746, while the S80 sedan costs $750 annually. The Volvo XC90, one of the most expensive models to maintain, has an annual ownership cost of $851.
Q: What are some standard maintenance services required for Volvo vehicles?
A: Like any vehicle, Volvos require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Some of the most common maintenance services include oil changes (every 7,500-10,000 miles), tire replacements (every three to four years), cabin air filter replacements (around 20,000 miles), and spark plug replacements (every 60,000 miles).
Q: What about more severe repairs, like engine replacements?
A: If your Volvo requires a major repair, such as an engine replacement, the cost can range between $4,000 and $6,700. While this may seem steep, remember that engine replacements tend to be rare, and spending on repairs can often be more cost-effective than purchasing a new vehicle altogether.
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