S80: First time buyer looking for advice please!

[Taniab]

I'm interested in a diesel automatic in a local garage (2005 2.4L d5 SE Lux, just over 100k on the clock) and wondering if anyone could give me some tips as to what to ask/look for? Do certain things tend to need replacing on this model at this mileage? As you can probably tell I'm a complete novice at this! Any help much appreciated, thanks a lot!

[60041]

The most obvious things to check will be that the timing belt and tensioners have been changed and that the automatic transmission fluid is clean - pull out the transmission dipstick and study the oil; it should be red, not dirty brown and should not smell burnt - dirty oil will quickly ruin an auto box.
Check the condition of the oil in the power steering reservoir, and check that the tank is not showing signs of bulging or leaking.
Take the car for a test drive and check that the gears change smoothly without any sign of hanging on to a lower gear or "flaring" during changes.
All the electrical items should be working and the display on the dash should be steady without any sign of flickering or missing information - this could be a sign of a failing DIM.
Look for messages saying that the alarm is faulty or needs a service; it is likely that the alarm battery has failed on a car of this age.
Check that the air-con works.
Look at the bottom of the radiator to see if there is any oil staining which could point to a leaking intercooler.
Check the handbrake; if possible try to find out when the brake shoes were last changed - if there is any doubt, they should be replaced before they fall apart!
Other than that, just the normal checks; that the brakes work and are not noisy, that there are not any clanks and bangs from the suspension and that the steering is ok.
It's quite a list but the big Volvo's are normally very dependable and you would be very unlucky to find too many things wrong with it; if you do, just walk away - there are plenty other cars out there.

[Taniab]

That is absolutely brilliant! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond so fully, it's just what I needed! Hope to be a real Volvo owner soon and not just a wanna-be! Thank you.