Buying an XC90 with advisories ~ Help!

[Robinsonxc90]

Hi Guys,

First time poster here, joined the club after a positivie experience in the previous cars peugeot forums.

Im looking at buying a VOLVO XC90 SE LUX D5 AWD AUTO from a chap on friday, and looking over its history the MOT shows a number of advisories that I have NO idea about and wondered if any of you kind / knowledgeable folk could help me come to a decision as to whether or not it is worth purchasing or not.

Advisories are;

Pass with the following advisories:
Steering system slightly rough (2.2.D.1)
Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both (1.7.5a)
offside rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit edge (4.1.E.1)
front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement all (2.4.G.2)
rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement d (2.4.G.2)
rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement all (2.4.G.2)
nearside front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)
Track rod end ball joint has slight play both inners (2.2.B.1f)
front lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both (2.4.G.2)
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)
offside Parking brake operation grabbing slightly (3.7.C.3b)

Other than this the car is in EXCELLENT condition, interior is almost like new.

The ones that worry me are thinks like the ball joint, parking brake & anti-roll bar, please help guys!

[cheshired5]

Are all these advisories from the most recent mot?
How long is left on the mot?

[Robinsonxc90]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Are all these advisories from the most recent mot?
How long is left on the mot?

MOT Expires this year, got its pass september 2015. Yes these were from the most recent.

[Ducklakeview]

If it's mechanically and bodily ok, I'd be using them as a negotiating lever, as you'll need to budget at least £750 for that lot if you aren't doing it yourself.

Mike

[Robinsonxc90]

Originally Posted by Ducklakeview

If it's mechanically and bodily ok, I'd be using them as a negotiating lever, as you'll need to budget at least £750 for that lot if you aren't doing it yourself.

Mike

That's good to know! Nothing excessively bad to worry about though? And as for everything else Like i say the car is like new, immaculate all over and no historic mechanical faults at all.

[ifzal123]

Welcome to the forum

Alot of what is listed on the advisory are wear and tear items. These vehicles require a good level of maintenance and are not cheap to maintain when comparing against cars. The brake disc, tyres and anti roll bars fairly straight forward. Always replace parts in pairs especially suspension related. Ive just had the top suspension mount and bearing replaced on both sides at a cost of £350.

What I would be really concerned about is the steering and track rod ends. The steering could be rough due to the track rod ends which will need to be replaced otherwise will become dangerous. The steering could also be a result of low fluid levels or possible a faulty steering rack which will cost £1k plus for a new one or £250-350 for it to be reconditioned.

The headlights can be buffed and made to look as good as new, £20 material and 2-3 hours of your time so long as they are not too far gone

An adjustor kit can be fitted to improve the parking brake . many members have had this problem.

Also ensure that the AWD sytem is working correctly. Common problem where the spline sleeve fails and the xc become a two wheel drive. No warning light show. Repairs can cost a few hundred to £2500 depending on the problem.

As always when buying an XC90 put aside a contingency fund of £1-2K to sort out potential problems to get the XC90 into good shape.

I would also check the auto gearbox is smooth. Good 30 min drive is required to see how the box behaves Earlier models pre 2006 suffered from failed gearboxes. £2500 to recon the box. Best to change the fluid if you go ahead with the purchase.

[Robinsonxc90]

Originally Posted by ifzal123

Welcome to the forum

Alot of what is listed on the advisory are wear and tear items. These vehicles require a good level of maintenance and are not cheap to maintain when comparing against cars. The brake disc, tyres and anti roll bars fairly straight forward. Always replace parts in pairs especially suspension related. Ive just had the top suspension mount and bearing replaced on both sides at a cost of £350.

What I would be really concerned about is the steering and track rod ends. The steering could be rough due to the track rod ends which will need to be replaced otherwise will become dangerous. The steering could also be a result of low fluid levels or possible a faulty steering rack which will cost £1k plus for a new one or £250-350 for it to be reconditioned.

The headlights can be buffed and made to look as good as new, £20 material and 2-3 hours of your time so long as they are not too far gone

An adjustor kit can be fitted to improve the parking brake . many members have had this problem.

Also ensure that the AWD sytem is working correctly. Common problem where the spline sleeve fails and the xc become a two wheel drive. No warning light show. Repairs can cost a few hundred to £2500 depending on the problem.

As always when buying an XC90 put aside a contingency fund of £1-2K to sort out potential problems to get the XC90 into good shape.

I would also check the auto gearbox is smooth. Good 30 min drive is required to see how the box behaves Earlier models pre 2006 suffered from failed gearboxes. £2500 to recon the box. Best to change the fluid if you go ahead with the purchase.

Thank you so much for your well thought out and helpful response. Your advice ties in to a conversation I just had with a volvo specialist too regarding the steering.

My main concern Is I wont be able to notice if the steering is due to the rack or the track rod end, perhaps this car might be worth a miss? I completely agree regarding a contingency fund, I have put some aside to ensure any problems that come up can be dealt with.

Thank you again.

[ifzal123]

With any used vehicle you are likely to have a few problems. Whats to say the next will have similar issues considering they will be around that age.


I wouldn't dismiss the XC just based on Steering issues. If everything else is good about the XC then why not have a mechanic or even Volvo look at the XC.


It may well be a simple/cheap fix. I'm sure Volvo dealers will carry out a health check for £50 and if you ask them to pay more attention to the steering they wont charge that much more. All this provided seller agrees to this. I did this when I purchased mine even thou I purchased from Stratstone Jaguar. Its just peace of mind to some extent.


Good luck

[Tannaton]

I hate advisories. There should be a check box next to them that says either "will need attention in the future" - or - "In my Humble Opinion".

Just put my other half's Kia through it's MOT - they advised on bushes (deteriorated) and brake discs (pitted) later year, just gone through with no advisories and none of them have been changed.

[owenfackrell]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I hate advisories. There should be a check box next to them that says either "will need attention in the future" - or - "In my Humble Opinion".

Just put my other half's Kia through it's MOT - they advised on bushes (deteriorated) and brake discs (pitted) later year, just gone through with no advisories and none of them have been changed.

Quite. Had this a number of times.