Buying an XC90 with advisories ~ Help!

[ifzal123]

++1

I agree, advisories are exactly that.

You do get an early warning of possible issues so long as its done from a competent garage, and I've had my fair share of cowboys.

Some of them intentionally look for problems that don't exist in the hope that they get to do the work and earn a few extra quid, but then what do you expect when some garages are charging £25 per mot?

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by ifzal123

++1

I agree, advisories are exactly that.

You do get an early warning of possible issues so long as its done from a competent garage, and I've had my fair share of cowboys.

Some of them intentionally look for problems that don't exist in the hope that they get to do the work and earn a few extra quid, but then what do you expect when some garages are charging £25 per mot?

Use your local council's MOT station, they test the car but have no interest on gaining the works that result (they are not allowed I believe) as its a council MOT facility. You therefore get a genuine "whats wrong" MOT if it fails and none of the "what else have they stung me for" worries.

Used them a few times .... fairly impressed, but you do need to book.

Hope it helps


http://www.ukmot.com/Council-MOT-Test-Centers/UK

[ianu]

Welcome Robinson XC90,
All good advice above - you haven't mentioned age or mileage, but these do sound like genuine wear items and probably first time round for the majority.
Steering issues - go for all the obvious first as suggested. I'd probably put my neck out and say steering rack problems are not common unless there's been a serious fluid leak ignored at some point, or it's been disturbed by something else (which doesn't sound like it in your case). Mine is still original at 240K
Make sure you definitely check the AWD is working (at least for now). You need to crawl underneath the middle of the car (from the side), and try and turn the propshaft situated above the exhaust (obviously make sure it's cold). It should NOT turn.
If it does, you only have 2WD to the front wheels. This is a big bill (see Spudds recent post).
Not a showstopper still though - but account for it in the price.
Any questions - let us know.

Cheers
Ian.

[Robinsonxc90]

Originally Posted by ianu

Welcome Robinson XC90,
All good advice above - you haven't mentioned age or mileage, but these do sound like genuine wear items and probably first time round for the majority.
Steering issues - go for all the obvious first as suggested. I'd probably put my neck out and say steering rack problems are not common unless there's been a serious fluid leak ignored at some point, or it's been disturbed by something else (which doesn't sound like it in your case). Mine is still original at 240K
Make sure you definitely check the AWD is working (at least for now). You need to crawl underneath the middle of the car (from the side), and try and turn the propshaft situated above the exhaust (obviously make sure it's cold). It should NOT turn.
If it does, you only have 2WD to the front wheels. This is a big bill (see Spudds recent post).
Not a showstopper still though - but account for it in the price.
Any questions - let us know.

Cheers
Ian.

Ian,

Thanks a bunch for the advice, I totally forgot to put the vehicle is an 07 reg and plate with 165,000 on the clock. I have just had word from the seller today that most if not all of these advisories have been repaired, so we shall see!

Is this propshaft easy to locate? Any other areas I should be paying particular attention too before buying? In my mind it was gearbox, power steering, AWD and parking brake.

I must admit I'm overwhelmed with the help I've received so far

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by TruckbusUK

Use your local council's MOT station, they test the car but have no interest on gaining the works that result (they are not allowed I believe) as its a council MOT facility. You therefore get a genuine "whats wrong" MOT if it fails and none of the "what else have they stung me for" worries.

Used them a few times .... fairly impressed, but you do need to book.

Hope it helps


http://www.ukmot.com/Council-MOT-Test-Centers/UK

+++1 - I used to use the local council garage, they were reasonbly strict but fair, once they got to know me they became very helpful. As you say they don't do any work (other than to the council's own vehicles) and the engineers are not on profit related pay so there is no axe to grind. Another benefit is many of them offer tests during extended hours and I've never been charged for a re-test.