How Many Miles Can a Volvo Last?

With proper care and maintenance, a Volvo can last over 200,000 miles and up to 20 years.
Written by Mariza Morin
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Depending on the model and year, a Volvo can typically last over 200,000 miles and up to 20 years with proper care, according to the Swedish car manufacturer. 
  • With the right level of care and maintenance, Volvo owners could potentially see their vehicles surpass the 200,000-mile mark
  • The reliability of a Volvo can vary depending on the model and its model year
  • Address repairs early on to prevent more extensive damage and extend the lifespan of your Volvo

How many miles can a Volvo last?

Volvo vehicles can last over 200,000 miles.
How long your new Volvo—or any vehicle—ultimately lasts will depend on many factors, including:
  • Volvo model
  • Model year
  • The driving and weather conditions it’s been exposed to
  • The actions (or inaction) of previous car owners when maintenance or repairs were needed
According to the manufacturer, Volvo cars can last for several thousand miles with proper care. This means you must keep up with a regular maintenance schedule if you want your odometer to make it to 200,000 miles.

How many years do Volvos last?

The average lifespan for a Volvo is about 20 years. 
As with estimating your Volvo’s mileage expectancy, many different components can determine how many years your vehicle will eventually last and it all really depends on how you treat your Volvo. Proper care and sticking to a regular maintenance schedule will help prolong your Volvo for at least two decades. 
MORE

How reliable is a Volvo?

Volvo has a reputation for manufacturing highly reliable cars, but that overall reliability can vary somewhat from vehicle to vehicle. Let’s take a look at two of Volvo’s most and least reliable vehicles.

Most reliable: Volvo S60

The 2022 Volvo
S60
luxury sedan was given a 78/100 rating for quality and reliability from J.D. Powers—which is considered an average rating but just two points shy of a great reliability score. However, RepairPal considers the S60 above average with a 3.5 out of 5 rating. They also rank it 11th out of 31 vehicles in its class. 
The S60 gets high praise when it comes to reliability considering the luxury sedan has average ownership costs typically for minor periodic issues but seldom for any major issues. Also, compared to similar luxury vehicles, S60 owners are not taking their cars into repair shops nearly as much as their competitors are for unscheduled repair work.

Least reliable: Volvo S90

J.D. Powers give the 2022 Volvo
S90
luxury sedan a 70/100 rating for quality and reliability. This is considered an average score, but it’s just one point away from a fair rating. Additionally, the S90 even recently made it to Consumer Reports' list of the top ten least reliable vehicles. 
Why is the S90 so unreliable? Since the model came out, the luxury sedan has had at least one to four recalls every year—totaling 13 recalls from 2017 to 2021. Recall issues range from faulty seat belts to airbags that won’t deploy in the event of a collision to glitches in the electrical system.

Are Volvos expensive to maintain?

While Volvo tends to be less expensive to maintain than other luxury brands, they are more expensive to maintain than regular vehicles. On average, the annual maintenance cost of a Volvo is $769, according to Repair Pal. 
Total repair and maintenance costs will depend on the Volvo’s age, current mileage, and if you’re consistent with scheduling regular car maintenance. 

Brakes

Volvo brake pads can last between 30,000 to 70,000 miles. 
However, this can depend on many factors like your driving habits. For example, if you commute to work in heavy stop-and-go traffic every morning and often hit the brakes, you might have to get an inspection more often.

Tires

Volvo tires are meant to last hundreds of thousands of miles when cared for properly, according to the manufacturer. 
But more specifically, standard all-weather tires should be replaced every three to four years while performance tires might need to be replaced more often. Like your brakes, how often you have to replace your tires depends on how rough you are riding. 

Transmission

Volvo transmissions can last about 200,000 miles. 
Proper care for your transmission includes constantly checking your transmission fluid levels and allowing your Volvo to warm up before driving off can do wonders for your transmission. 

Spark plugs

Volvo spark plugs should be replaced every 60,000 miles. 
However, if you feel a lack of power when you accelerate or if you’re having issues with your engine running rough or misfiring, it might be worth replacing your spark plugs sooner. 

Volvo recalls

Though Volvo is known for safety, they have still had their fair share of recalls over the years. Here's a list of some of the most recent recalls.
Airbag inflator recall:
  • Volvo
    S80
    (2001-2006) 
  • Volvo
    V70
    (2001-2007)
  • Volvo
    XC70
    (2001-2007)
  • Volvo S60 (2001-2009)
Fuel pump recall (all 2019-2020): 
  • Volvo V90 
  • Volvo
    XC60
     
  • Volvo S60
  • Volvo V60 
  • Volvo V60CC 
  • Volvo S90 
  • Volvo V90CC
  • Volvo S90L
  • Volvo
    XC90 

How long do Volvos last compared to top competitors?

Make
Expected lifespan 
Volvo
200,000 miles or 20 years
300,000 miles or 20 years
200,000 miles or 13 years
200,000 miles or 15 years 
250,000 – 300,000 miles or 20 years
250,000 miles or 17 years

How to prolong the lifespan of your Volvo

If you’re looking to join the Volvo High MIleage Club, here are a few tips to help you prolong the lifespan of your Volvo:
  • Follow a schedule: Read your Volvo’s car manual and follow a regular maintenance schedule according to their instructions. It will detail every service you will need, including oil changes, tire rotations, and so much more.
  • Buy quality parts: It can be tempting to save a few bucks and buy cheaper parts, but subpar quality could cost you more in the long run. Adding
    OEM parts coverage
    on your insurance policy or considering increased protection plans from Volvo beyond your standard warranty are two options that could potentially spare you from future headaches while keeping your vehicle in optimal condition.
  • Pay attention to car alerts: Don’t keep ignoring your
    check engine light
    ! Problems can arise even when you stick to a strict maintenance schedule so look into car alerts right away. Your car manual will explain what each individual warning means.
  • Keep your car clean: Not only will your Volvo look great, but this will also help your car last.
    Washing and waxing
    can help preserve your car’s paint while vacuuming inside can minimize wear that can lead to tears. 
The bottom line: With proper care and following a regular maintenance schedule, your Volvo can last up to 200,000 miles and over 20 years. 
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