Going to look at a 2008 xc90
 

Hi folks I'm going to look at a late 2008 xc90 se tomorrow from a independent car dealer and was wondering if there is anything in particular I should be looking out for? Car has covered 112000 miles with almost full service history by various main dealer and independent garages car looks a bit expensive at £6.400 but think it's worth a look. I've contacted the last garage who have done the last 2 services to see if they can show me proof of cambelt/aux belt change as book just states as per schedule. If they don't get back to me I will budget for a full 10 Yr service.
Many thanks
Dave

Check the transmission shifts smoothly. It may take a while to shift when cold, but it should shift nice with no jolts when warm.

Listen for any suspension knocks or clunks over bumps.

Check all the electrics work like mirrors, windows, heated seats & door locks.

Check air con works.

Check condition of tyres & that they match on each axle at a minimum ideally. If not, budget for a set of matching tyres.

Look for any warning lights on the dash.

Check temperature gauge doesn’t go over half.

You’ve mentioned the cam belt & auxiliary belt, so you know about that. Don’t forget the auxiliary belt tensioner!

Check headlight washers work (front & rear).

Check dipstick & look as to whether there’s any murky/milky colour sludge on it. If there is, walk away.

Check coolant reservoir/condition of coolant. Look at the cap of the reservoir & check for any milky sludge on the cap. If coolant looks milky, again, walk away.

Check brakes operate as they should & that there’s no shudders when braking. If there is, then factor in the price of some new discs & pads.

Bring it on a decent test drive to at least get it up to operating temperature. Drive with the radio off too, so you can listen for any unusual noises. The usual car sales man trick is turn the radio on straight away… I turn it off when they do that for this very reason. :regular_smile:

Just as an aside, thats notmterribly expensive.

Ive just renewed the insurance on my 2008 model via the Meerkats. It's an R Design with virtually every option box ticked (premium sound, winter, summer, nav, comms and family packs). It has 151,000 miles and their website valued it at £5800, about 500 quid more than last year.

For the one you're looking at, a lower mileage car, and considering the fact that the garage will supply a warranty, prep it, and presumably make a little profit as well, £6400 isn't bad at all for the inflated prices of 2021.

Thanks for that. Had a look but decided to walk away as it just needed a bit to much doing to it. Alloys were all bubbled so needed refurbishment.Paint work needed a really good going over as was very scratched and inside just looked very tired dealer said they now only just give them a quick prep ready for sale. so add all that onto cost of purchase and all new belts and pulleys it wasn't worth it. So the look continues.....

Dave

Shame, but you did then right thing. There is no shortage out there, so it seems daft to saddle yourself with a shabby one.

Good luck with the hunt - find the right one and you won't regret it.