What to Look For in 2008 XC70

[Motorhate]

Hello all, got a chance of buying a 2008 XC70 at a reasonable price and am wondering what I should look for when buying one?
Any common faults or issues I need to be aware of that could turn out to be problematic in the future?
I've previously only driven Hondas and am also a biker, so fairly mechanically minded but don't want to take on a major job straight off the bat.
Thanks in advance!

[Finbo]

I would say firstly to check whether the car has been serviced properly each year to manufacturer spec.
For info, the Cambelt needs replacing every 10 years or 108k. Auxiliary belt and tensioner is every 5 years or 54k.

Parts can be very expensive on these cars.
So a vehicle that has been neglected could turn out to be a money pit.

Mine is the same age and it's also had a new air con compressor, steering rack, power steering pump and clutch pulley.

Usual checks apply...are there any noises, clonks, etc when the car is driven?

These cars are very comfortable cruisers that you can drive for many hours, but they're not a sports car to be chucked about! They also have half decent off road ability (with the right tyres) and have a large, useful boot.

[Simon Jones]

Originally Posted by Finbo

For info, the Cambelt needs replacing every 10 years or 108k.

Alternatively, go for 3.2 petrol & you don't have a cambelt to worry about

[green van man]

My advise would be to look for one with a manual gearbox and change the oil every 30,000 miles or 2 engine services.

Paul.

[Deefer666]

Just got one myself last week!..

Lights if bi-xenons.. Slight difference in colour shows one of them could be on way out..they're expensive...
Tyres.. Over £100 a corner so worth making sure they've got life..
4c shocks if its got active suspension ... They're expensive...

Good luck.. Lovely drive in them...

[steadvex]

+1 for what everything here has been said, plus double check aux & tensioner history.

Be wary of a car that has been self serviced, defiantly check the mot history here https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history if a car has been self serviced yet always seems to fail on tyres and bulbs it suggests to me that they might not be up to the job of servicing...

[MartinK]

I have a 2009 xc70 with 154,000 miles (owned from new)

Apart from normal service items (brakes etc), they can:

1. Chew wheel bearings - especially on the front
2. Some of the bushings in the suspension can fail
3. The joint in the exhaust can corrode
4. Corrosion around the points where the rear suspension connects to the body

Other than that - very, very solid car if treated with care and maintained properly...

[NAD]

Originally Posted by Motorhate

Hello all, got a chance of buying a 2008 XC70 at a reasonable price and am wondering what I should look for when buying one?
Any common faults or issues I need to be aware of that could turn out to be problematic in the future?
I've previously only driven Hondas and am also a biker, so fairly mechanically minded but don't want to take on a major job straight off the bat.
Thanks in advance!

I would recommend reading up on dpf issues caused by fuel contamination of the engine oil. I believe that there is a fix, but depending on whether the engine has been run for an extended period with this issue then some damage could already have been done. I think it predominantly affects the single turbo d5 engines, which were common in 2008 XC70s.

Have a look at these links:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=99488

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=95323

The other things to look for:
Timing belt due at 10 years / 108k. Is this imminent?
Aux belt failure can take out the timing belt. Supposed to be done at 5yr intervals. Has it already been done?

[Motorhate]

Thanks for all the advice fellas, I picked mine up today. Full service history (last one was in April) all done by a main dealer which was a big plus for me. All the switches appear to work as well as the sat nav, stereo and lights. Drives nice, although the steering feels lighter than my Honda. I've noticed a squeaking coming from the rear which I'm imagining would be a bush or a spring or the way out. Not sure though.

Aside from that, I'm impressed. I got mine for £3990 with 143,000 miles on it. It's hardly done any miles this year but was still serviced in April so I'm assuming that the belts were done as and when they were required.

[Deefer666]

...get yourself signed up onto the Volvo site and get a new set of rubber mats for £20 for it!.. See general discussions thread..