My Volvo V40 shed
Discussion
I'd been on the hunt for a sub 500 quid snotter to run as a daily after deciding yet again that my MX5 was getting a little tiring being used everyday. So I'd been hunting the usual places and seeing what was about, initially looking at pumas as a possibility but I never got round to actually looking at any. One other source of a possible car was a trader mate of mine and after mentioning a couple of weeks ago I was on the hunt for something cheap he would let me know if anything came in.
I didn't hear anything for a little while so carried on the online shopping but then last Saturday he mentioned he had this V40, however it was a little grubby (slight understatement as you'll see). So I went and had a nose and decided I'd take it for the princley sum of £300 quid!
This is now my 3rd Volvo having had this rather nice S60 D5 which I still regret getting rid of
And also an 855 T5 which was an absolute turd and I soon got rid, I thought I had some pics somewhere but nevermind.
So onto the V40. It was in an absolute state inside, it had been used as a gardeners car cum dog car cum general tip run idontgiveas
tcar!
A few of the befores, I wish I'd taken more really but nevermind, just imagine the whole car covered in the same level as the rear footwells and every surface covered in thick layer of dust!
A few hours later with the henry and we were getting somewhere, certainly made it now possible to sit in it without fear of catching something.
Dog obviously had fun with the handbrake! Will hopefully get it sorted one way or another, still works though.
After that everything was wiped down and upholstery cleaned to get it looking a little less stained, not perfect but better anyway.
So with it now hospitable inside I set to sorting out a few of the niggles it came with.
First the drivers door didn't lock, all other were fine. A quick google revealed a common issue with the door pin, a quick yank with some pliers and we had a working door again
Next the interior lights, radio and central locking didn't work, a quick swap of a dead fuse it was all sorted, result!
So bar a slight bearing wurr and a few dead exterior bulbs which have now been changed and only an MOT for a few months, no advisories on the last one so fingers crossed, that was all that was wrong, all the electrics work, climate works, even has working cruise which is a nice touch. It's only a 1.6 so is a little gutless but will serve the purpose nicely and I can easily chuck my bike in the back.
It came with a thick wad of old receipts and invoices dating back to when it was new, including the original sales invoice for £12285. The only slight worry is no sign of a cambelt change, however I'd be surprised if it's gone it whole life without it being changed but I'll be playing cambelt roulette regardless.
So it'll be run on a budget, hopefully make it to and through the next MOT and then we'll see what happens from then on, but I don't think it's all that bad for the price now I've spent some time clearing it up, certainly enjoying the wallowy ride compared to the MX5 day in day out
Next to my MX5 that it'll take over daily duties from.
Granted those pics are of it still wet so make it look a lot better than it is, the painwork it pretty scratched up, but I love the fact I don't care
I didn't hear anything for a little while so carried on the online shopping but then last Saturday he mentioned he had this V40, however it was a little grubby (slight understatement as you'll see). So I went and had a nose and decided I'd take it for the princley sum of £300 quid!
This is now my 3rd Volvo having had this rather nice S60 D5 which I still regret getting rid of
And also an 855 T5 which was an absolute turd and I soon got rid, I thought I had some pics somewhere but nevermind.
So onto the V40. It was in an absolute state inside, it had been used as a gardeners car cum dog car cum general tip run idontgiveas
tcar! A few of the befores, I wish I'd taken more really but nevermind, just imagine the whole car covered in the same level as the rear footwells and every surface covered in thick layer of dust!
A few hours later with the henry and we were getting somewhere, certainly made it now possible to sit in it without fear of catching something.
Dog obviously had fun with the handbrake! Will hopefully get it sorted one way or another, still works though.
After that everything was wiped down and upholstery cleaned to get it looking a little less stained, not perfect but better anyway.
So with it now hospitable inside I set to sorting out a few of the niggles it came with.
First the drivers door didn't lock, all other were fine. A quick google revealed a common issue with the door pin, a quick yank with some pliers and we had a working door again
Next the interior lights, radio and central locking didn't work, a quick swap of a dead fuse it was all sorted, result!
So bar a slight bearing wurr and a few dead exterior bulbs which have now been changed and only an MOT for a few months, no advisories on the last one so fingers crossed, that was all that was wrong, all the electrics work, climate works, even has working cruise which is a nice touch. It's only a 1.6 so is a little gutless but will serve the purpose nicely and I can easily chuck my bike in the back.
It came with a thick wad of old receipts and invoices dating back to when it was new, including the original sales invoice for £12285. The only slight worry is no sign of a cambelt change, however I'd be surprised if it's gone it whole life without it being changed but I'll be playing cambelt roulette regardless.
So it'll be run on a budget, hopefully make it to and through the next MOT and then we'll see what happens from then on, but I don't think it's all that bad for the price now I've spent some time clearing it up, certainly enjoying the wallowy ride compared to the MX5 day in day out
Next to my MX5 that it'll take over daily duties from.
Granted those pics are of it still wet so make it look a lot better than it is, the painwork it pretty scratched up, but I love the fact I don't care
Well a quick update for all the fans of this fine steed 
I'm pleased to say that the V40 passed it's MOT, happy days! Few advisories but nothing that will need immediate attention so that's good. What I though was just a blown bulb initially turned out to be the associated relay on the CEM. Followed the guides online to replace it a few weeks back and all is now good which I was rather chuffed by.
So the £300 gamble has paid off it seems, here's to the next year in the trusty shed (fingers crossed)!
Also due to be picking up my mx5 from Skuzzle Motorsport early next week after having a turbo'd engine fitted, should be running around the 250bhp mark so I can't flippin' wait
I'm pleased to say that the V40 passed it's MOT, happy days! Few advisories but nothing that will need immediate attention so that's good. What I though was just a blown bulb initially turned out to be the associated relay on the CEM. Followed the guides online to replace it a few weeks back and all is now good which I was rather chuffed by.So the £300 gamble has paid off it seems, here's to the next year in the trusty shed (fingers crossed)!
Also due to be picking up my mx5 from Skuzzle Motorsport early next week after having a turbo'd engine fitted, should be running around the 250bhp mark so I can't flippin' wait
Very well done on cleaning it up. Agree with above that he should've actually made some sort of effort to tidy the car before he sold it.
I hope him neglecting it in this way is not a sign of him neglecting the car in terms of maintenance.
Anyhow good luck and looks like an excellent deal!
I hope him neglecting it in this way is not a sign of him neglecting the car in terms of maintenance.
Anyhow good luck and looks like an excellent deal!
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