Used Volvo V40 for sale: everything you need to know

Sometimes a mainstream family car just won’t cut it, and that’s where premium models like the Volvo V40 come in. Similar in size to a Ford Focus, it offered a dash of Swedish cool while it was on sale between 2012 and 2019, and today serves as a left-field alternative to both mainstream family cars like the Volkswagen Golf, and other premium models such as those from Audi and BMW.

The V40 majored on comfort and safety over driver fun and high performance, particularly towards the end of its run, and its sleek shape cut down on practicality too, but the design still stands out today and it’s certainly relaxing to drive, so you’d be forgiven for choosing one over more rounded rivals.

Of the premium alternatives, the main trio are the Audi A3, BMW 1-series and Mercedes-Benz A-class, though the Lexus CT200h offered a similarly alternative take to these three German models. But more budget-friendly alternatives include used examples of the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, and Vauxhall Astra too.

Should you buy a Volvo V40? 

Volvo used the V40 name once before the most recent model, as the estate version of the S40 saloon sold between 1995 and 2004. That car was more of an alternative to the BMW 3-Series Touring, but from 2012 until 2019, the Volvo was instead an upscale hatchback targeting other premium hatches like the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series.

Initially at least, it was quite compelling too. Volvo’s designs have evolved significantly over time but the V40 certainly looked fresh on its debut, with a sleek front end and raked-back windscreen, and a distinctive tailgate which evoked the look of Volvo’s classic 1800ES shooting brake.

Inside it was distinctive too, with a chunky dashboard housing part-digital instruments and a central touchscreen, and a button-heavy floating centre console below it. Close the doors, and it had a real bank vault feel, while the seats were typical of Volvo at the time, well-padded and comfortable over long distances.

The exterior aged better than the interior, with the dashboard layout and Volvo’s infotainment system quickly feeling archaic by the time it went off sale, but to the V40’s credit, the cabin always had enough space for adults in both the front and back, even if the rear seats felt a little dark with the rising window line. That funky boot design limited its space here though - a 335-litre capacity wasn’t bad, but certainly wasn’t class-leading.

With underpinnings similar to that of the contemporary Ford Focus, the V40 was off to a good start on the ride and handling front, though Volvo prioritised comfort over driving fun. It feels good around town and on the motorway even today, though less entertaining on B-roads. Volvo offered a confusing array of engines over time, with outputs up to 250PS for the petrol T5 - but by the end, Volvo had cut that to a selection of modestly-powered petrol and diesel options.

All that means that today you’re getting a decent amount of used car for your money, and if comfort and safety are more valuable to you than fun handling, it’s well worth a look. We’d recommend also checking out rivals like the Audi A3, BMW 1-series and Mercedes-Benz A-class though, as well as more mainstream offerings like the Volkswagen Golf as a talented and practical all-rounder.

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What’s the best used Volvo V40 model to buy?

If you don’t need massive performance then the basic T2 (petrol) and D2 (diesel) engines will do the job for a lot of buyers. Each gets from 0-62mph in around ten seconds, but both are frugal too, particularly the diesel. If your budget can stretch to it though, you lose very little economy by stepping up to the T3 and D3, but gain quite a bit of performance.

Volvo changed its trim level lineup quite significantly over the V40’s run. We’d recommend SE trim among the earlier models, which had plenty of standard kit, while Inscription is appealing among the later cars. That said, Volvos always seem appealing in Cross Country form too - just remember, it’s not a proper off-roader.

Used Volvo V40 fuel economy and performance

• Volvo V40 T2: The entry-level V40 petrol made a modest 122PS, with manual and automatic gearbox options - strangely, 1.5-litre for the automatic, 2.0-litres for the manual. The auto was a little quicker, with a 0-62mph time of 9.8 seconds to the manual’s 10.4sec. Economy was up to 47.9mpg for the manual, 50.4mpg for the automatic.
• Volvo V40 T3: The T3 used the same 2.0-litre engine but with more power, at 152PS, and manual and auto gearboxes once again. The manual could cover 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds, the auto in 8.3sec, and economy was 47mpg for the former, 49.6mpg for the latter.
• Volvo V40 D2: The lower-powered diesel made 120PS from a 2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, whether manual or auto. 0-62mph came up in 10.6 seconds in the manual and a tenth quicker for the auto, with 61.4mpg and 62.8mpg economy respectively.
• Volvo V40 D3: Another 2-litre diesel, this time making 150PS. The manual this time covered 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds, the auto 8.5, with economy identical to the D2 for both manual and automatic.

What used Volvo V40 trim levels are available?

Volvo offered the V40 in several trim levels over its 2012 to 2019 run, but the trim levels below are as you’d find them on the most recent cars. There’s no such thing as a basic V40 but Momentum served as such, with Inscription taking on a luxury feel, R-Design going sporty, and Cross Country having an off-road flavour, if not off-road ability.

• The Volvo V40 Momentum starts the V40 range with a hefty list of equipment, including dual-zone air conditioning, LED headlights, an infotainment system with a 5-inch screen, and 16-inch alloy wheels. A Nav Plus variant adds cruise control and, as you might expect, navigation.
• The Volvo V40 Inscription nets you a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, some exterior brightwork, a digital driver display, leather trim, cruise control, navigation, rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing wipers.
• The Volvo V40 R-Design gives the V40 a sportier look and feel. Its equipment is based off that of the Momentum, but adds 17-inch alloy wheels, and R-Design interior and exterior features. A Nav Plus package adds the same bits as on the Momentum, and an R-Design Pro trim gets leather trim, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, navigation, and 18-inch alloys.
• The Volvo V40 Cross Country is probably the most distinctive V40, with an off-road style appearance that echoes that of Volvo’s long-running, raised-suspension Cross Country models. 17-inch alloy wheels are standard, as are front and side scuff plates, twin exhausts, and a silver-finish roof rack. Nav Plus once again adds navigation and cruise control, and Cross Country Pro upgrades to 18-inch wheels, leather trim, navigation, a parking camera, cruise control, and a TFT driver display.

Used Volvo V40 dimensions and boot size

The Volvo V40’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4370mm
• Width: 1783mm (without mirrors), 2041mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1439mm
• Ground clearance: 121-144mm

The Volvo V40’s boot size is:

• 324-335 litres
• 1021-1032 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)

Used Volvo V40 road tax

All Volvo V40s sold since April 2017 are subject to a flat rate of VED or ‘road tax’, and with no hybrids offered (which get a small discount), that rate is £180 per year. It’s worth checking the original list price if you’re looking at a high-end model though, as there’s a hefty surcharge for cars that cost more than £40,000 new. For pre-April 2017 models, VED is based on CO2 emissions, which will work in your favour for the frugal diesels, some of which cost only £20 a year to tax.

How much is it to insure a Volvo V40?

The Volvo V40 is more of a premium vehicle than the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astras of the world, so its insurance groups are closer to cars like the BMW 1-series. That means a range starting in group 18 (on the 1-50 scale), rising to group 25 for a D3 in R-Design trim.

Read our full Volvo V40 review