MOT query
 

Hi, new to the forum and need advice please. Just purchased a used V70 from a Volvo dealer. I didn't receive any mot paperwork with my documents so went online to check the mot history. It confirmed it had passed and stated advisory information as the two front tyres near to the legal limit and 'trailing arm has slight play in a pin / bush both rear arm front bushes (2.4.G.2)'

When I collected the vehicle the salesman did say the front tyres had been close to the limit and as it is a Volvo selekt car they have replaced them even though they had not failed.

I've contacted the dealer and asked for a copy of the mot paperwork and they have sent me a scanned copy of the V20. In the advisory information it mentions the front tyres but not the trailing arm?? I would have expected the information to be the same in the vehicle checker as what is on the V20?? I have noticed on the V20 it also mentions duplicate certificate was issued??

I'm concerned something doesn't seem right with the discrepancy between the mot history online and what the dealer has provided??

Advisories are just that - advisories - and you do not need to do anything about them although most owners will try to have them rectified sooner rather than later. From what you say it would seem that the tyres were replaced without a further test being done (no need for one). Have you been back on-line to check the MOT history to see if a further test was actually done? A different tester could give a different opinion as to any advisory conditions.

Hi migrator, thanks for your reply.

I am aware that advisories are simply 'advice', but my concern is regarding the fact that the V20 from the dealer doesn't match the details on the Gov mot history checker - the 'advisory' about the trailing arm has been omitted from the V20 scanned by the dealer and sent to me???

Ask them to send the original V20 in the post - they have no reason to hang on to this now you own the car. Of course in this new world of online certificates, you wont know if they've just printed off the scanned (& potentially 'modified' copy). You should also have the emissions results paperwork too.

Rear trailing arm bushes are a common weakness on the V70 and are pretty much consumable items.

The fact that the scanned V20 the dealership have provided has had the advisory note for the rear trailing arm bushes 'omitted' has set the alarm bells ringing with me!

As they had replaced the two front tyres that came up as advisory but not the rear trailing bush arms, I presume this means that is a more costly job?

With this being a Volvo Selekt used car, it is reasonable to expect this work should also have been done - considering that was the reason the salesman proudly gave me for replacing the tyres!

I baught a selekt xc70 with a new mot, no advisories. As it was an inconvenient time of year for me I had it re mot'd 4 months later at my local dealer. Passed but now an advisory on the rear trailing arm bushes.
This is not covered by the select warrantee as it's considered a wear and tear item according to my dealer.
Next service I had them changed, £300 job at my dealer, was going to do them myself but had no time when the dealer phoned to say they needed doing. I think the dealer was being cautious as I think the bushes would of lasted some time before change was imminent but there was some sign of wear on them when I saw them after removal.
The bushes seem to last 40,000 miles or so, cost £85+ vat each from the dealer and need a special tool to change them if you want to to them on the car. Tool is about £180 on eBay. I am told the car also needs a 4 wheel alignment after the bushes are changed.

Paul.

Have they definitely sent you the V20 for the same MOT that was conducted? Do the test numbers match?

Same V20 - all numbers match. Spoke to DVLA and they confirmed there is no reason why it should be missing. Suggested I contact trading standards, but I want to gather some opinions and info before I take action. Last 2 days I've heard a creaking / clunk from the rear as I go over rough road... is this linked???

Update
 

Spoke to DVSA who confirmed the advisory note on the certificate should match exactly what appears on the online mot history checker. They explained the mot details are input electronicaly and a certificate is then printed with the same details on. They cannot see how the advisory note has been ommitted and are now wanting to investigate the dealership.
The dealership have acknowedged the advisory should have appeared on the certificate and are replacing the rear arms as they say it is not safe and should have been done. However, they have yet to give me an explanation as to how this was ommitted.

Further suspension problems ???
 

Just collected my V70 from the dealer who promptly replaced the bushes on the rear trailing arms.
Drove on motorway with no problem but on side roads there is a very random loud noise (like a metal drum being banged once) when I drive over a speed ramp or dip in the road. I'm not driving at any great speed. The previous noise was more of a metal clunking but this is now different.
Would this simply be the new bushes 'bedding in'? If there is such a thing?? Or do I have a further problem with the suspension that the dealer hasn't picked up??? (There is also a Volvo / alko towbar that appears to have been on since new?)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to appear as a paranoid customer to the dealer but I also don't want to end up paying out for costly suspension repairs a month or two down the road.