Used Volvo 740

What to know before buying: Volvo 740

From 4 forum threads and 1 press test · updated 11/10/2026

What the reviews say

• An owner of a 1986 740 describes it as powerful, quiet, large and comfortable; after more than 20 years, the automatic still worked well and there had been no major problems.[3]one source
• Across 45 owner reviews, the 740 scored 4.7 for reliability and 4.8 for comfort; cabin space, handling, performance and material quality were also highlighted.[5]one source
• The owner of a 1991 740 with the B200F praised its roomy cabin, highly effective heater, power steering and heated seats.[1]one source
• Owner experience suggests a well-maintained 740 can be very durable, but reliability depends heavily on its previous maintenance and the condition of the individual car.[2][4]

Typical faults

• A 1991 B200F car suffered intermittent unstable idle, jerking, loss of power and stalling; impacts and vibration aggravated the symptoms, but the final cause was not established.[1]one source

  1991–1991 · B200F

• One 740 owner identified both fuel pumps and the fuel-level sender as weak points; the sender failed again after two repairs.[2]one source
• An owners’ forum identifies the floor as a corrosion-prone area on the 740; examples range from heavily rusted to well preserved.[4]one source
• For the D24TIC, a forum contributor knew of at least two engines ruined after the crankshaft pulley worked loose.[4]one source

  D24TIC

Which engine and version to take

• An owner describes the B23/B230E as reliable and straightforward to repair, despite its mechanical fuel injection.[2]one source
• Forum advice presents a petrol engine as the safer 740 choice than a D24 diesel, whose condition depends much more on how previous owners treated it.[4]one source

What to avoid

• Buy a D24-family diesel only after careful checks: it is sensitive to load when cold, needs oil changes every 5,000–7,500 km, and the turbo version is considered less reliable than the naturally aspirated one.[4]one source

What to check at the inspection

• Inspect the floor carefully beneath the thick carpets, which can conceal extensive corrosion.[4]one source
• Measure compression before buying a D24 diesel; forum advice identifies this as the key check of engine condition.[4]one source
• On a D24TIC, inspect the timing drive and crankshaft-pulley fastening; engines have reportedly been ruined by a loose pulley.[4]one source
• During the test drive, check idle stability and throttle response on both smooth and rough roads; vibration may expose intermittent jerking or stalling.[1]one source
• Check the fuel-pressure regulator, both fuel pumps and the level sender; owners have reported leakage, pump trouble and repeated sender failures.[1][2]

Verdict

Sources

1. [1]clubvolvo.ru — Проблема с Volvo 740 91 г. (двигатель B200F) · forum
2. [2]forum.zr.ru — Мужики подскажите,стоит ли брать Volvo? - Форум - За рулем · forum
3. [3]forum.110km.ru — Отзыв о Volvo 740 1986 года Вольво 740 · forum
4. [4]forum.volvoklub.cz — 740 - nevím si rady, první takto staré Volvo: · forum
5. [5]auto.ria.com — 45 отзывов о Volvo 740 · press

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