1996 Volvo 850 T-5 Auto

***Images supplied by vendor***

Highlights 

  • Rare, desirable red paintwork
  • Full leather interior
  • Powerful and characterful 5-cylinder
  • Beautiful condition throughout


The Appeal

Over 26 years have passed since the mad scientists at Volvo introduced these 5-cylinder saloons, and yet we still get excited to see them pop up for sale. 

Both the wagon and the saloon variants were extremely popular in BTCC during the mid 90’s, and have since gained a cult-like following due to their unassuming body shape and outrageous power output.
Volvo 850s had such a huge impact on the automaker's public image. So much so that even modern performance Volvos are compared to the 850 T-5 models. And rightly so: they were the forefront of Volvo's early success in BTCC after all. Performance cars of the time had quite the fight on their hands when coming head-to-head with one of these machines.
There’s something quite wonderful about driving something as unassuming as this, that's still as capable as a modern hot hatch.

The History and Paperwork

  • Fresh MOT, valid until June 2023
  • Valid and up-to-date V5C
  • Fantastic service history 
  • Original Volvo 850 owner's manual
  • Volvo 850 Haynes manual
  • Recent service and cambelt change

The Interior

  • Lovely full leather interior
  • Wooden dashboard trim
  • Electric memory front seats
  • Carpets plush and original
  • All original, functional centre console
  • Headliner in great shape
Opening the door to this homely 850 T-5, being greeted with the whiff of leather from the slightly patinated seats is a pleasure in itself. 

The seats are extremely comfortable and supportive, with the bolsters firmly holding you in place. They also offer the convenience of memory positions in case there will be multiple drivers (or if someone changes your seating position). All of the seats share a similar age-related patina, with creases here and there as you’d expect from a 90s car, but there are no rips or tears.
The instrument cluster is all original, showing 108,849 miles – rather low for a 26 year old car – and all of the dials function as they should. Even the factory boost gauge, located above the fuel and water temperature indicators, works perfectly.  

All of the buttons, dials and switches function as they should, and all of the printed text and symbols throughout the dash and centre console are still easily readable and identifiable. 
The carpets are still nice and plush with little sign of wear, and the floor mats are in good shape too. We’re also happy to note that the roof lining is in great condition with no sign of the separation or sagging as seen in some examples, just some odd marks throughout, but certainly nothing of any concern.
Overall, the interior of this 90s hero is still impressively lavish, with comfortable seats and a great driving position. It’s extremely well preserved thanks to the care lavished on it over the years. A truly well loved 850, like this example, is a rare find.

The Exterior 

  • Rare red factory paintwork
  • Factory panel gaps
  • Volan style 17” alloys
  • Volvo “Prancing Moose” decals
  • No signs of rust
Even after two and a half decades, this is still an undeniably pretty car – a design that has stood the test of time and become a staple in the automaker's history. 

Finished with the rare red paintwork, and sitting on the optional Volan OEM wheels, it’s somewhat reminiscent of the sportier 850R. 
There are very few flaws to pick at in this example, the only issues we could find were a very small dent (approximately the size of a ten pence piece) on the front offside wing, and some minor paint chipping located on the forward edge of the driver side door and lower portion of the front bumper. 

Overall, it’s a very honest, well-kept piece of machinery. All of the body panels (aside from the aforementioned wing) are straight and true, and all of the panel gaps appear to be of factory fitment. Exterior plastics seem to be in great shape too, with only very minor signs of colour fading they still retain a rich black sheen.
These cars are criminally overlooked, especially by those not in the know. Any true petrolhead with memories of the 90’s and early 2000’s will flock to this like a bee to a honeypot.

The Mechanics 

  • Glorious 2.3L 5-cylinder
  • 225bhp
  • 4-speed Automatic transmission
  • FWD configuration
  • Excellent service history
  • Cambelt change just over 3000 miles ago
  • 2 brand new tyres included in the sale
Powered by the famous 2.3L 20 Valve Turbo engine, producing a stout 225bhp in factory configuration, this has a rather impressive power delivery for what appears to be nothing more than a family saloon car. Especially for something from the mid 90s. 

The engine power is reported to be excellent with good acceleration through the gears, thanks to the factory 15G turbo you get that ‘pinned to the seat’ experience. The 4-speed auto box is responsive and smooth throughout the changes, with no unwelcome clunks or noises.
With a fresh MOT, this example is as ‘get in and go’ as it gets. The most recent MOT does show advisories for both front tyres, however the current owner of the vehicle has purchased two brand new tyres and put them in the boot for the new owner. 

Further advisories were for very slight corrosion on the offside rear brake hose ferrule, and nearside rear axle swivel pins and a slightly worn bush. Minor things for a car of this age.
Service history is fantastic with regular oil changes and necessary maintenance carried out whenever required, so the new custodian can rest easy knowing that the cambelt has been replaced just 3,000 miles ago, alongside an engine service.

Summary

Quickly becoming a recognised and appreciated classic, 850 T-5s are a fantastic investment, and an even better car to enjoy on the road. Between the unassuming, handsome exterior and the grin-inducing power, it’s an easy car to fall in love with.

A true icon of 90’s BTCC and a staple in Volvo's history - these cars will only become more difficult to get your hands on as the years go by. Especially in such good condition as this.


Notice to bidders

Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.

As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1996
  • Make Volvo
  • Model 850 T-5 Auto
  • Colour Red
  • Odometer 108,849 Miles
  • Engine size 2319
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Broadway
  • Location Somerset
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
6 bids from 4 bidders
  • da•••• £5,500 08/06/22
  • ja•••• £5,000 07/06/22
  • pa•••• £4,500 05/06/22
  • ch•••• £4,300 05/06/22
  • pa•••• £4,200 05/06/22
  • ch•••• £4,000 05/06/22
Message C&C Auction Team

The gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller. More about buying with us
Safe, secure payment process

About Max Bids

The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.

Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.

Anti-sniping

Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.

Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.

Auto-bidding increments

  • If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
  • If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
    • Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
    • We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.

Bid Amount Increment
£0 to £9,999 £100.00
£10,000 to £49,999 £250.00
£50,000 to £99,999 £500.00
£100,000 + £1,000.00

Automatically outbid immediately

When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.

You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.

Matching max bids

When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.

Pre-authorisation

We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.

What are pre-bids?

A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.

Problem with your bid

Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.