Thinking of buying high mileage V60 D3. Bad idea?

[Bungalows]

I’m in the market for something cheap, reliable, and with a decent size boot and a V60 D3 from a local dealer that I’ve found seems a good fit at £3500 with service history and belts done. Only catch is it’s at 150k miles, which has me worried.

Am I right to be worried? If not, what do I need to look out for on test drive? This would be my first Volvo after several Toyotas/Skodas!

[Easington]

There's service history and there's service history.

I'd be checking whether it was main dealer / specialist or "Dave's garage on the corner".

Am sure it'll be the 5 cylinder 2.0 engine which are generally reliable if looked after. Aux belt at 54k miles and cambelt at 108k miles. If it's an auto get it warm then sit for a minute in neutral then move into D, check it doesn't jump forward.

Other than that - general wear and tear items and overall appearance. 4 x matching tyres is always a good sign or at least 2 matching pairs

[Tannaton]

^^^ What he said.

If it's auto - check it carefully when warm and budget to get the auto box fluid changed when you buy it (or preferably get the dealer to do that as part of the price).

Other than that - usual used car checks... Check all the electrics (locks, windows etc.) they are not unreliable but can be expensive to repair. Check power steering is smooth lock to lock when stationary...


If you look after it, it should last forever...

[Bungalows]

Originally Posted by Easington

There's service history and there's service history.

I'd be checking whether it was main dealer / specialist or "Dave's garage on the corner".

Am sure it'll be the 5 cylinder 2.0 engine which are generally reliable if looked after. Aux belt at 54k miles and cambelt at 108k miles. If it's an auto get it warm then sit for a minute in neutral then move into D, check it doesn't jump forward.

Other than that - general wear and tear items and overall appearance. 4 x matching tyres is always a good sign or at least 2 matching pairs

So I called up today to ask for some details and it's a mixed bag: 10 stamps, some Volvo, some independent, but it's due a service, and cambelt done at around 100k. That means I'd have to spend on a service and cambelt right away. What would that set me back? About £200 for the service, £400 for the cambelt?

Would it be reasonable to try to negotiate down to £3000-3200 on that basis, or is that a fair price? Car is priced at what online valuations say it's worth (i.e., £3500).

[Easington]

Originally Posted by Bungalows

So I called up today to ask for some details and it's a mixed bag: 10 stamps, some Volvo, some independent, but it's due a service, and cambelt done at around 100k. That means I'd have to spend on a service and cambelt right away. What would that set me back? About £200 for the service, £400 for the cambelt?

Would it be reasonable to try to negotiate down to £3000-3200 on that basis, or is that a fair price? Car is priced at what online valuations say it's worth (i.e., £3500).

Sorry slightly confused at your wording. Are you saying it hasn't had a cambelt? If not then it needs one immediately. If you mean it had a cambelt at 100k then it just needs an aux belt (every 54k).

You can find out what it's had done at the main dealer services by ringing the dealer. They are normally pretty good at letting you know

[Bungalows]

Originally Posted by Easington

Sorry slightly confused at your wording. Are you saying it hasn't had a cambelt? If not then it needs one immediately. If you mean it had a cambelt at 100k then it just needs an aux belt (every 54k).

You can find out what it's had done at the main dealer services by ringing the dealer. They are normally pretty good at letting you know

Ah, I think I'm confused. The advert states: 'Full Service History including CAMBELT Service'. When I called I asked when it had had the cambelt done and he said 'around 100k'. So it just needs an aux belt? Is that a bit cheaper than a full cambelt service?

[Easington]

Originally Posted by Bungalows

Ah, I think I'm confused. The advert states: 'Full Service History including CAMBELT Service'. When I called I asked when it had had the cambelt done and he said 'around 100k'. So it just needs an aux belt? Is that a bit cheaper than a full cambelt service?

I paid about £174 for a new aux belt and tensioner at a main dealer

[RDesign4Life]

Originally Posted by Easington

I paid about £174 for a new aux belt and tensioner at a main dealer

That's a good deal I paid about £220 for exactly the same job at the dealer a couple of months ago.

[Bungalows]

Originally Posted by Easington

I paid about £174 for a new aux belt and tensioner at a main dealer

Looking at service schedules online it refers to ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ aux belts. Which is the one I’d need? And is that at every 54k?

[XC90Mk1]

I chamged the Aux belt and tensioner myself for about £60.00 with genuine parts. Is it necessary to change the tensioner as well at 54k?