Euro 5 Volvo FM: used buying guide

Commercial Motor
September 10, 2019

Jump to listings from: Thomas Hardie Commercials, Britcom, Walker Movements.

Click here to view the full range of used Volvo FM tractor units we have in stock.

At CM we scour the classified pages to find your ideal vehicle. Today we’re on the hunt for a Euro-5 Volvo FM tractor unit.

The Volvo FM was launched 20 years ago and since 1998 its popularity has gone from strength to strength, with its lower cab entry and all-round visibility a big draw.

The original Euro-2 version featured the 7-litre and 10-litre blocks, but Euro-3 saw the introduction of a new range with a D12 engine with electronic unit injectors and 9-litre option.

The speed of development driven by a need for lower emissions and better economy now sees the Euro-6 FM offered with either a common-rail 11-litre or 13-litre engine, with a choice of seven power options.

Class-leading

John Comer, product manager at Volvo Truck and Bus, says: “Always a fleet favourite, the model offers the class-leading I-Shift automated transmission and a choice of sleeper and all-steel high-roof cabs – all tested to the toughest Volvo safety demands.

Comer adds: “With the introduction of UK authorised weights, which permitted 44 tonnes, the 4x2 tractor market all but disappeared. However, for increased efficiency a supermarket specified FM 4x2 could be the solution for a bespoke operation where maximum weight is not the key feature of the job.”

Thomas Hardie Commercials

North West-based Thomas Hardie Commercials, established for more than 25 years, has a used truck site located just off junction 18 of the M6.

The dealer has fully Volvo-trained staff, as well as the latest software and diagnostic tools from the manufacturer.

Here CM found a 2012 (62-plate) Volvo FM Globetrotter with a Euro-5 11-litre engine, delivering 450hp through an I-Shift automated transmission.

On a wheelbase of 3.9m, this tractor unit has a 480-litre fuel tank, air suspension and disc brakes.

Fitted with a day cab finished in shades of green, the paint and bodywork condition is very good and the interior finish is clean.

Cabin refinements include electric windows, seats and mirrors, night heater and air conditioning, as well as three half-leather seats and a CD player.

As an ex-dray, this unit also has a low chassis and low-profile tyres, with approximately 50% tread remaining. The truck has 196,000km on the clock and is MoT’d until August.

With one previous owner and a full Volvo service history, the vehicle is offered with a 30-day Volvo Economy warranty for £18,000, ex-VAT.

Carl Boase, national used vehicle sales executive, says: “The unique selling point is the very low mileage and the rare Globetrotter day cab.”

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Britcom

Britcom, which was formed in 1981, has three sites: a 14-acre head office in Market Weighton; a sales depot in Manchester; and its sister company HVPS in Nairobi, Kenya.

The dealer is well known as one of the UK’s leading exporters of used commercial vehicles and is a key player in the UK used commercial vehicle industry. The group has strong purchasing power with many of the UK’s large fleet owners, such as major supermarkets, hire and leasing companies and financial institutions, and can also source individual and specialist vehicles from smaller operators.

At its Market Weighton, Yorkshire site CM found a 2013 (63-plate) Volvo FM Globetrotter. With an 11-litre Euro-5 engine, producing 450hp through an I-Shift automated transmission, this unit has covered 640,000km. The tractor unit has a Globetrotter cab and a 480-litre fuel tank. On a wheelbase of 3.9m, it has leaf suspension on the front and air suspension on the rear.

The 295/80R 22.5 tyres have a tread of 10mm to 12mm, and the disc brakes are in good condition, with ABS, EBS, diff lock and an exhaust brake.

Finished in white, the paint and bodywork are in good condition, as is the interior. There is a radio/CD player and the internal refinements include air conditioning, central locking, cruise control, electric and heated mirrors, electric windows and a single bunk.

The truck also has a full air deflector kit, a fixed fifth wheel, an immobiliser, side wind deflectors, a sun visor and a digital tachograph. It is MoT’d until June and is offered for sale at £17,500, ex-VAT.

Regional sales manager Adam Day says the unique selling point is the choice of units available.

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Walker Movements

Walker Movements sells and distributes second-hand trucks, with the facilities to transport any vehicle in stock to any destination worldwide. Over the past 25 years the company has sold in excess of 21,500 trucks to more than 15,000 customers around the world.

At a 21-acre custom-built sales centre, located next to the M1 between junctions 24A and 25, CM found a 2011 (61-plate) Volvo FM Series Globetrotter with sleeper cab.

It is powered by a Volvo D11C 450hp 6-cylinder Euro-5 engine, with AdBlue, through an I-Shift automated transmission.

On a wheelbase of 3.9m, this truck also has a Volvo multi-stage engine brake (VEB), a Volvo single-reduction drive-axle with a locking differential, an airsuspended mid-lift axle and Ecas drive-axle air suspension with in-cab controls.

It also has a full disc brake system with EBS/ABS and a sliding fifth wheel with run-up ramps. There is an aluminium chassis catwalk, a PVCU vertical engine air intake, an ISO trailer ABS/ EBS suzie socket, an exterior sun visor, a rear loading light, a full air deflector kit complete with cab side extensions and a 450-litre aluminium fuel tank.

Inside it has an Isringhausen air-suspended driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support, electric windows, electric adjustable and heated mirrors, a pop-up sunroof, air conditioning and cruise control. Further refinements include a Webasto night heater, an RDS CD/radio player, a reverse alarm with an in-cab cut-out switch, switchable traction control, SRS driver’s airbag and a 12v auxiliary power socket, with overhead and under-bunk storage compartments.

Finished in white, the paint and bodywork condition is good, as is the interior finish and condition, with approximately 50% tread remaining on the tyres.

The digital tachograph shows 761,000km on the clock and the MoT runs until August.

With two previous owners there is no service history but for £13,750, ex-VAT, this tractor comes with a three-month driveline warranty.

Lloyd Collingham, marketing manager, says the unique selling point of this truck is the Euro-5 engine.

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