The VOLVO V40 (1996-04) 5DR ESTATE 1.6 XS is a compact five-door estate, offering more useful boot space than a family hatchback without the size of a larger load-lugger. In the UK it sat in the practical, more upmarket end of the small estate market, competing with cars such as the Ford Focus Estate and Volkswagen Golf Estate. Its straightforward 1.6-litre petrol character and estate layout make it a sensible choice for everyday errands, commuting and modest family duties, especially for buyers who value usable space over a high driving position. The V40 is known for a solid, reassuring feel and understated Scandinavian styling; compared with many rivals, it offers an appealing blend of comfort and practicality in a relatively compact package. The single mycarcheck.com lookup is only a small snapshot: it recorded 145,000 miles, around 11,000 annually, two previous keepers and a £300 average private-sale valuation, so treat these figures cautiously.