About this model
The second-generation Volvo V40 was produced from 2012 to 2019 as a compact premium hatchback. On the BiH market it became a popular alternative to the Golf, Audi A3, and Ford Focus, especially among buyers looking for Scandinavian design and a high safety rating at a reasonable price. Most examples on BiH roads are imports from Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands, predominantly with the D2 diesel engine (D4162T or D4204T8) and a manual gearbox. The V40 was the first car in the world to feature a pedestrian airbag and earned the top five-star Euro NCAP rating. Today, examples with 150,000-250,000 km are common on the market, and prices have dropped enough to make it accessible to a wider range of buyers.
Engines and variants
This model is most commonly available in BiH with the following engines.
D4162T (1.6 D2, 115 HP): A Ford/PSA DV6C 1.6-litre engine producing 115 HP, used in the early V40 production run (2012-2015). Known for a cooling system weakness that can lead to head gasket failure or micro-cracks in the engine block - its biggest and most expensive risk. The timing belt is replaced at 90,000-120,000 km depending on age and manufacturer recommendation. Popular on the market thanks to a lower purchase price, but it demands a more careful buyer.
D4204T8 (2.0 D2, 120 HP): A Volvo VEA 2.0 single-turbo engine producing 120 HP, part of Volvo's modular four-cylinder platform (2016-2019). It does not suffer from the cooling system issues of its 1.6 predecessor, but is more prone to oil consumption after 100,000 km and requires more careful turbocharger maintenance. The timing drive uses a chain that is generally long-lasting. More expensive on the market but a better long-term investment.
D4204T9 (2.0 D3, 150 HP): A more powerful VEA variant with 150 HP and a VNT turbocharger, often paired with the Geartronic 6 automatic gearbox (2016-2019). Due to higher turbo loading, the VNT mechanism needs more attentive maintenance, and vane seizure after 120,000-150,000 km is not unusual with predominantly city driving. Turbocharger parts are slightly pricier compared to the D2 variant.
Reliability and reputation on the BiH market
On BiH roads the Volvo V40 D2 shows average reliability slightly below German and French competitors in the same class, but above average for the premium compact segment. The main reason for a poorer impression is the specific 1.6 engine cooling system issue. Examples that survived that problem and that regularly drive on the open road are generally reliable cars. Parts are somewhat pricier than for a Golf or Focus, but availability is solid through independent suppliers and online ordering. The typical V40 buyer in BiH is someone looking for Scandinavian interior quality and high safety at the price of a used Golf 7, and who is willing to invest in regular maintenance. The car is more sensitive to neglected servicing than a Japanese or Korean competitor in the same segment.
Common faults we see
From our hands-on experience, here is what comes in most often for this model.
1. Cooling system and head gasket (1.6 D4162T)
Symptom: Frequent coolant level drops, hard coolant hoses when the engine is cold, engine overheating, white smoke from the exhaust.
The 1.6 D4162T engine (2012-2015) inherited from Ford/PSA has a well-known cooling system weakness. The water pump and thermostat fail earlier than expected, and in more severe cases the head gasket blows or micro-cracks develop in the engine block. This problem is specific to the 1.6 variant; the 2.0 VEA engine (2016+) does not have it.
Advice: Check hose firmness in the cooling system while the engine is cold. If the hoses are hard and pressurised, that is a sign of a head gasket problem. Regularly monitor the coolant level.
2. Powershift MPS6 automatic gearbox
Symptom: Jerking and vibrations when pulling away, clutch slipping under hard acceleration, gearbox overheat warning in city driving, complete loss of drive.
The Powershift (MPS6/6DCT450) dual-clutch gearbox was used exclusively with the 1.6 diesel and T4 petrol engine. It is a shared Ford/Volvo unit with a poor reputation across all brands that used it. The dry dual-clutch design is particularly sensitive to stop-and-go city driving.
Advice: If you are buying a V40 D2 with an automatic gearbox, be sure to test pulling away from a standstill multiple times, shifting into reverse, and driving in traffic queues. The manual gearbox is a far more reliable choice.
3. DPF filter and regeneration
Symptom: DPF warning light on, limp mode, black smoke under acceleration, increased fuel consumption.
Both the 1.6 and 2.0 D2 engines have a DPF that requires regular regeneration cycles on the open road. If the car is driven mostly on short city trips, the DPF cannot reach the temperature needed for regeneration and soot accumulates. On the V40 this problem is more pronounced because the DPF is smaller than on larger-class vehicles.
Advice: Once a week, drive the car for at least 20-30 minutes on the open road at higher revs. If the DPF warning is already active, come in for a diagnostic check before attempting a forced regeneration.
4. EGR valve
Symptom: Rough idle, loss of power, increased fuel consumption, check engine light with code P0401.
The EGR valve is the most common reason for a workshop visit on V40 diesel models. The problem affects both the older 1.6 and newer 2.0 engine. Cars that are used mainly on short city trips never reach the operating temperature needed for EGR self-cleaning, so carbon deposits build up.
Advice: We recommend cleaning the EGR valve every 50,000-60,000 km, especially if you mainly drive in the city. Cleaning is cheaper than replacement, but a heavily clogged valve must be replaced.
5. Front brakes and ball joints
Symptom: Steering wheel vibration when braking, dull noise from the front wheels, knocking over bumps, uneven tyre wear.
The V40 is known for relatively quick wear of front brake discs and lower ball joints. Discs can develop runout as early as 40,000-50,000 km, and ball joints show signs of wear after 60,000-80,000 km depending on road quality.
Advice: During an MOT or regular service we always check ball joint condition. On BiH roads they wear out sooner than Volvo anticipated.
6. Door locks and central locking
Symptom: Inability to open or lock individual doors, central locking not responding to the remote, doors unlocking by themselves.
Door lock actuators on the V40 are a known weak spot. The problem appears most often on the driver and passenger doors, usually after 80,000-120,000 km. The electric mechanism inside the lock fails, and replacement requires removing the door trim and working with the electronics.
Advice: Before buying, test locking and unlocking every door, both with the remote and manually. Replacing a lock actuator is not overly expensive but is labour-intensive.
7. Alternator and electrical system
Symptom: Battery warning light on the dashboard, hard starting, battery draining while driving, voltage drops in the electrical system.
The alternator on the V40 D2 has a tendency to fail prematurely, especially on examples with many electrical consumers (heated seats, heated steering wheel, upgraded audio). Alternator bearings and the voltage regulator are the most common culprits.
Advice: If the battery frequently needs a top-up or the battery light comes on intermittently while driving, have the alternator charging voltage checked. It should read 13.8-14.4 V.
8. Air conditioning and blocked condensate drain
Symptom: Warm air despite the AC being on, unusual noises from the compressor, damp carpets on the passenger side, unpleasant smell from the vents.
The AC compressor on the V40 can fail between 40,000 and 80,000 km, and the system hoses are prone to leaking. Additionally, the condensate drain hose often clogs, so condensed water flows onto the passenger carpet instead of outside, creating dampness and an unpleasant smell.
Advice: At every service ask for the AC condensate drain to be cleared. It is a five-minute job that prevents damp carpets and mould in the cabin. For a full AC system check, we have our AC service.
Volvo V40 D2 head gasket D4162T
The head gasket problem on the 1.6 D4162T engine deserves special attention because it is by far the most expensive potential fault on this model. Characteristically, symptoms develop gradually: first a slight drop in coolant level with no visible leak, then white smoke from the exhaust on cold starts, and finally overheating. The key early diagnostic is checking coolant hose firmness on a cold engine. If the hoses are hard and pressurised while the engine is cold, that points to combustion gases leaking into the cooling system. If you notice any of these symptoms, do not wait - minor problems quickly escalate into serious engine damage.
Volvo V40 Powershift gearbox problems
The dual-clutch Powershift (MPS6) gearbox on the V40 D2 1.6 variant shares its reputation with the same unit in the Ford Focus and Fiesta. The principle is similar: it is a dual-clutch automatic gearbox with dry clutches. However, the implementation, software, and characteristic faults differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. On Volvo, the software calibration is somewhat better than on early Ford versions, but the mechanical construction remains the same weakness. If you are considering a V40 with an automatic gearbox, look for the newer 2.0 variant with the Geartronic 6 gearbox, which is a conventional torque converter and significantly more reliable.
Service and maintenance
The timing belt (1.6 D4162T) is replaced every 90,000-120,000 km or 8 years depending on vehicle age and manufacturer recommendation. Do not wait for the limit, especially on older examples with an unknown service history. On the 2.0 VEA engine (D4204T8/T9) the timing drive is a chain that is generally long-lasting but requires periodic tension checks after 150,000 km. We recommend ACEA C3 specification oil (0W-30 or 5W-30), changed every 10,000-15,000 km or once a year depending on driving conditions (shorter intervals in the city, longer on the highway). Volvo's longlife interval of 30,000 km is not suitable for BiH conditions with frequent cold starts and short trips. The DPF needs regular open-road driving, and we recommend EGR cleaning every 50,000-60,000 km. For a complete major service with all filters and inspection checks, get in touch to book an appointment.
Which oil for Volvo V40 D2
For both D2 engines we recommend ACEA C3 specification oil, viscosity 0W-30 or 5W-30. The Volvo specification VCC RBS0-2AE is the reference for the 2.0 VEA engine, while the 1.6 D4162T uses the WSS-M2C934-B specification. In practice, a quality synthetic oil meeting ACEA C3 covers both engines. A change interval of 10,000-15,000 km is more appropriate for BiH conditions than the factory 30,000 km, especially if you mainly drive short city trips with frequent cold starts.
Owner tips
- Check the history before paying a deposit: using the chassis number, pull the full history via carVertical. From international registers you get real odometer readings by date, recorded accidents, number of previous owners, and theft or total-loss indicators. We consider it essential before buying any used car, especially Scandinavian and German imports. When paying for the report you can use the code GAGA for a 20% discount.
- On the 1.6 D4162T engine, check the coolant level at least once a month. A sudden drop is the first sign of a head gasket problem.
- Use ACEA C3 specification oil (0W-30 or 5W-30) and change it every 10,000-15,000 km, not Volvo's longlife interval of 30,000 km.
- Once a week, drive the car for at least 20-30 minutes on the open road so the DPF can regenerate and the EGR can ventilate.
- Have the AC condensate drain checked at every service. A blocked drain causes damp carpets and mould growth in the cabin.
- If you have a Powershift automatic gearbox, avoid prolonged standstill in traffic with your foot on the brake. Shift into N to take the load off the clutch.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo V40 D2 reliable to 200,000 km?
With regular maintenance, the 2.0 VEA variant (2016+) is reliable at higher mileages. For the 1.6 D4162T variant, the key is that the cooling system survived without major issues. If the head gasket has already been replaced and the car shows no signs of overheating, it can serve reliably. In both cases, regular oil changes and EGR cleaning are mandatory.
Is it worth fitting LPG to a Volvo V40?
An LPG conversion is only possible on petrol variants (T2, T3, T4). On the D2 diesel engine an LPG conversion is not an option. If you are looking for a V40 for LPG conversion, get in touch for advice on the petrol variant.
Which engine is the better choice - 1.6 D2 or 2.0 D2?
The newer 2.0 D4204T8 engine (2016+) is objectively the better choice. It does not have the cooling system problem that affects the 1.6, it uses a timing chain instead of a belt, and it is generally more robust. The only downside is the higher price, since 2.0 D2 examples are usually more expensive on the market compared to older 1.6 variants.
Should you avoid the V40 with a Powershift automatic gearbox?
Yes, the recommendation is to avoid the Powershift (MPS6) dual-clutch gearbox if possible. This gearbox was used only with the 1.6 diesel and T4 petrol engine. The conventional Geartronic 6 automatic gearbox on the 2.0 VEA engines is significantly more reliable. A manual gearbox is always the safest choice.
Is the V40 a safe car for a family?
The V40 is one of the safest compact cars ever produced. Five stars on Euro NCAP, a pedestrian airbag, and the City Safety automatic braking system. Safety is its strongest suit. For a family with young children, the V40 is an excellent choice provided regular maintenance is not a problem.
How to inspect a V40 D2 before buying?
Three key checks: (1) On a cold engine, squeeze the coolant hoses - they should be soft; hard hoses indicate a head gasket problem. (2) Test all door locks and the central locking. (3) If it has the Powershift automatic gearbox, test pulling away and switch from D to R several times. Come in for a pre-purchase inspection for a full diagnostic check.
If you notice any of these symptoms, stop by our workshop - it is better to check early than to pay for an expensive repair.