Buying / owning a classic estate

[SalvadorP]

Btw, not saying you should buy it, but that car, with the interior in such good condition and 75k miles, in spain or portugal would easily have an asking price of 5k€ if it's an NA, 7.5k if turbo, even more if HPT.

Two things that for me are red flags, but could mean nothing. The fact that the seller is the 5th owner and the "grandfather" story. Funny the last owner was always an old man, so old in fact he usually got tickets for driving too slow.

Before buying my 940 wagon with 500k km for 2k€, I passed on a 940 saloon with 160k for 1.6k. My wagon was a 1 owner car with a proven history of Volvo maintenance and a sheet of everything that was done in the car in 25 years, and the other was a 5 owner car with a somewhat shady past, that was previously owned by an "old uncle" who passed away.
1 week after I jumped off that deal, the same car was back on sale. Quick cash grab? Possibly. I wouldn't pay to find out though.

[andij]

Originally Posted by volvo always

On the 940 and 740 look for rust in these areas.

Outriggers/jacking points.
Sill ends.
Battery tray.
Wings on some seem to rot.
Wheel wells.

240.

Front bulkhead, behind insulation.
Bottom corner of windscreen.
Rear wheel arches.
Under rear bumper.
Wheel wells in boot.
Jacking points.
Rear suspension mountings. Ideally jack car up and look at chassis to shock/spring mounting area.

All are at the age where they will need repairs. Just find one in the best condition. Take a good torch and give it a good going over for rust.

I have a 1996 940 LPT B230FK, 135BHP, auto estate. Had it about 5 years now and no major issues. I like the Auto. First auto was a 240 GLT auto estate. All bought for less than £350 back then, not now!

James.

This information is golden, thank you!

[andij]

I think this looks pretty close to what I'm aiming for:



Volvo 940 GLE - £2850
Red, 1996, 2.3 HPT B230FT Auto
MOT until November 2023
Full leather, all electrics working.
165,460 miles

On the last MOT the advisories were:

Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):

• Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))
• Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))
• Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))
• Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn tie bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Fuel system component leaking filter (6.1.3 (b) (i))
• Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Rear Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))
• Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened all brake discs (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

The current MOT has no advisories at all, so all these must have been sorted out.

Something that's obvious from the photos is that the windscreen trim is peeling off at the top on both sides. Does anyone have any experience of this happening? And is it something that is difficult to rectify?

Also the lambda sensor needs replacing apparently.

[griston64]

Originally Posted by andij

I think this looks pretty close to what I'm aiming for:



Volvo 940 GLE - £2850
Red, 1996, 2.3 HPT B230FT Auto
MOT until November 2023
Full leather, all electrics working.
165,460 miles

On the last MOT the advisories were:

Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):

• Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))
• Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))
• Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))
• Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn tie bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Fuel system component leaking filter (6.1.3 (b) (i))
• Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Rear Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))
• Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened all brake discs (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

The current MOT has no advisories at all, so all these must have been sorted out.

Something that's obvious from the photos is that the windscreen trim is peeling off at the top on both sides. Does anyone have any experience of this happening? And is it something that is difficult to rectify?

Also the lambda sensor needs replacing apparently.

Don't assume all advisories were fixed as a lot of MOT stations can vary !!
The fact that the tyres are knackered would suggest the owner isn't exactly fastidious in looking after the car

I'd be looking to pay closer to £1500 for that as well. Auto makes it less desirable

[volvo always]

Originally Posted by griston64

Don't assume all advisories were fixed as a lot of MOT stations can vary !!
The fact that the tyres are knackered would suggest the owner isn't exactly fastidious in looking after the car

I'd be looking to pay closer to £1500 for that as well. Auto makes it less desirable

Fully agree. Sounds very neglected, tyres, brake disks, bulbs etc.

Be aware some Volvo colours suffered lacquer peel. A repaint job I would assume. You really need to view in person.

I drove miles many years ago to look at a 940, as dealer said car was perfect and full Volvo Service history etc. Arrived and car unlocked with key in ignition. Inside stank of dog, seats horrid/dog chewed. Best of all though no maintenance whatsoever and head gasket gone and no coolant. Couldn't leave quick enough. Only fit to scrap.

Good luck on your search for a 940.

[SalvadorP]

Originally Posted by volvo always

Fully agree. Sounds very neglected, tyres, brake disks, bulbs etc.

Be aware some Volvo colours suffered lacquer peel. A repaint job I would assume. You really need to view in person.

I drove miles many years ago to look at a 940, as dealer said car was perfect and full Volvo Service history etc. Arrived and car unlocked with key in ignition. Inside stank of dog, seats horrid/dog chewed. Best of all though no maintenance whatsoever and head gasket gone and no coolant. Couldn't leave quick enough. Only fit to scrap.

Good luck on your search for a 940.

I also thought it was a repaint but maybe not for the right reasons. My car looks exactly like this one, but I didn't know this colour was more prone to peeling. But aren't the side mirros supposed to not be painted and the trim above the bumper to be the colour of the car? I know that there are models with trim matching bumper instead of car, but still, i thought repainted too.

Have similar stories with both an 850 and a 940, fortunately they were closeby.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by andij

Also the lambda sensor needs replacing apparently.

It wouldn't have passed the MoT with a FUBAR Lambda sensor!

Being the B230FT it should also have a turbo bost gauge in the bottom of the tacho, if it's missing it's likely a B230FK as standard and if it does has a B230FT instead, the engine (or at least the timing cover) has been changed.
Alternatively the instrument cluster might have been changed if it left Gothenburg as a B230FT and no longer has a boost gauge.

[SalvadorP]

Op, you should probably pay for a carfax or equivalent report to get a better picture of the car's history. Sometimes a report is enough to tell you all you need to know about a car.

[baggy798]

Originally Posted by andij

I think this looks pretty close to what I'm aiming for:



Volvo 940 GLE - £2850
Red, 1996, 2.3 HPT B230FT Auto
MOT until November 2023
Full leather, all electrics working.
165,460 miles

On the last MOT the advisories were:

Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):

• Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))
• Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))
• Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))
• Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn tie bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Fuel system component leaking filter (6.1.3 (b) (i))
• Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Rear Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))
• Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened all brake discs (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

The current MOT has no advisories at all, so all these must have been sorted out.

Something that's obvious from the photos is that the windscreen trim is peeling off at the top on both sides. Does anyone have any experience of this happening? And is it something that is difficult to rectify?

Also the lambda sensor needs replacing apparently.

The pictures from when it sold on the 16th on ebay make it look a bit better than that!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-V...-/325407564855









Windscreen trim looks like it needs bending/clipping back on that side. This thread has more info about the trims.

Lambda light is on so it needs the codes read to see what's what.

Repair tape on the brake booster hose? Bit dodgy! No cap on the windscreen bottle!!

Interior looks ok, floor mats show some degree of care, standard wrinkled door cards.

It's been relisted for £2650. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325435101301

[baggy798]

Actually are those stickers covering up holes on the dash? And how have they managed to wear a hole in the passenger seat buckle release? That seat looks a weird shape too.

I would probably wait for a better example. The green one that Moomoo posted looks a cracker, but it's up to £4300 now.