Volvo 854 mot fail

[biggbn]

Have been offered a tidy old 850 wagon but it has failed mot. Failure is as follows.

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Is this likely to be an expensive fix? Cars history is good with few advisories, it's a 2.5 auto with few owners and zero rust but guy is asking top money for it. If I can get it down and mot not an issue am very tempted

[griston64]

if the seller knocks £500 off its worthwhile. Bit cheeky asking top money for an MOT failure though

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by griston64

if the seller knocks £500 off its worthwhile. Bit cheeky asking top money for an MOT failure though

My thoughts exactly. Been a cherished old motor, on a private number for years, but that's the owners sentiment not mine

[griston64]

Ball joints shouldn't be that much and if it's an abs sensor that's gone it's also fairly easy. Even a new caliper will be around £80 and they are all easy enough jobs.

If everything else is straight and you can negotiate down on that it's probably worth a punt

[Dastardly Diesel]

That's if it's a sensor and not the control unit.

[Cookeh]

ABS module or wire (both around £40 to sort), control arms (£50 a side for MeyleHD), and then a quick lube of caliper guide pins. Easy.

[Laird Scooby]

You should be able to interrogate the ABS system George, either using the underbonnet box with LED and probe or the"not-quite-OBD" socket in the armrest. Not sure if there were updated optons on the 855/850 for reading the codes but that would be a good starting point.

Rest is "spanner work" but the O/S/F brake and the ABS fault could be linked.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=83897

That might also be helpful.

[green van man]

As an mot failer it's worth scrap value only. Don't know what that currently is but a few phonecalls will find it out in your area.

No matter what it is its not usable without the ticket and if it were a cheap fix the owner would of fixed it even to sell rather than its scrap value..

Scrap value or walk away.

Paul.

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by green van man

As an mot failer it's worth scrap value only. Don't know what that currently is but a few phonecalls will find it out in your area.

No matter what it is its not usable without the ticket and if it were a cheap fix the owner would of fixed it even to sell rather than its scrap value..

Scrap value or walk away.

Paul.

The failure is there Paul, whilst I usually agree with your sentiment there is a story behind this car

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by green van man

As an mot failer it's worth scrap value only. Don't know what that currently is but a few phonecalls will find it out in your area.

No matter what it is its not usable without the ticket and if it were a cheap fix the owner would of fixed it even to sell rather than its scrap value..

Scrap value or walk away.

Paul.

Agreed, Paul. Round our way, almost anything will realise £150-200 'scrap' value, as you say, as an MOT failure when sold for 'spares or repairs' only. Any remotely usable car with that all-important ticket will generally sell for a minimum of £500.

But, as I think it was you yourself who said in another thread, there are MOTs and then there are MOTs.

Regards, John.