Used Volvo 780 Buying Tips

Things to consider in buying a used Volvo 780 include: its modern availability; engines in the U.S. Market like the V-6 (B280F) and the 4-cylinder Turbo (B230FT); suspension (Nivomat Self-Leveling Rear Shock Absorbers); interior amenities like power seat switches, seatback releases and sun visor vanity mirrors; and other concerns like the door panels, rust and corrosion, rear license plate lamp housings, winter driving performance, and parts availability.

Aside from those things, miscellaneous parts like front air dam, dashboard and wood trim, trunk and fuel filler door releases also need to be considered.

Front Air Dam

The design of 780’s front air dam is lower to the ground than other 700 series models. The air dam, therefore, tends to receive damage from curbs and parking barriers often times. As a result, the dam experiences cracked plastic, missing tow-hook covers, and bent fog lamp brackets. So when looking for a prospect 780, check how the air dam has held up under the front bumper to see.

Dashboard and wood trim

After six or seven years of regular wear and tear due to exposure to sun, heat, cold, and the like, the 780’s dashboard tends to begin showing small cracks or splits. The cracking is usually experienced on the passenger side, near and around the ECC sensor above the glove compartment. Though not really distracting, the damages could be more widespread and/or severe in cars which are abused or left out in the elements. These damages can be fixed by dashboard repair kits, or might as well replace the dashboard. To place over the damaged dashboard, many have opted for buying aftermarket fabric covers.

Along the same timeline as the dashboard, the varnish on the wood trim also tends to crack or flake. They particularly occur on the panels mounted on the face of the dashboard itself. Wood trim which appears quite faded or has little varnish left usually indicates an abused interior. Specialty shops on hand which can repair or re-polish damaged wood trim are always available. Purchasing replacement of wood trim panels is also possible, though really costly.

Filler Door Releases

When the driver's door is opened, the 780 has two levers accessible along the door jam. One lever opens the trunk while the other opens the fuel filler door. By pressing a rocker switch on the dashboard, the fuel filler door may also be opened.

Another option on how to open the trunk is by pushing a button inside the glove compartment. Aside from this, there is no other way to open the trunk and fuel door on the 780, so it is important that these items are working properly on your prospect 780.