Is it worth fixing?
 

Hello,

I bought a 160k mile 2009 Volvo XC90 Executive D5 Auto two weeks ago from a dealer.

It had an MOT done 2nd November and there were zero dangerous, major, or minor defects noted; and it has been serviced regularly and very recently (with records).

A ClickMechanic in-person inspection gave the car a good rating for its age and mileage, apart from:

• Squeal noise when starting vehicle and when driving coming from steering pump fluid low (I topped up the power steering fluid (holding reasonably well), and have noticed some spotting on the tarmac that appears to run in a straight line underneath the radiator)
• There is oil around transmission this needs cleaning then checking for leaks transmission fluid level needs to be checked. Underneath engine driver side near timing area engine oil needs cleaning then checking, front subframe area covered in oil needs cleaning then checking.
• Vehicle is bouncy shock absorbers worn both both rear. Majority rear suspension components old rusty bushes have age related wear, front subframe bushes have wear
• Both front fog lights not working, front screen washer jets not spraying, rear wiper motor can hear motor constantly but not moving wiper motor needs checking/replacing
• Vehicle satnav screen keeps cutting out for a second or two, taking radio and CD with it. With the satnav screen down the radio and CD work without issue
• Brake fluid due a change

I've been quoted at least £2.5k and told by a mechanic it needs:

• Steering pump
• Transmission seals
• Front crankshaft seal
• Brake fluid
• Shock absorbers all round
• Rear wiper motor (spindle has gone)
• Rear suspension bushes (the ARB needs to be replaced as one piece for example)
• Subframe bushes
• Timing belt
• Water pump
• Major service

I got the car for £4.8k (part-ex straight swap, itself needing at least a grand spending on it) and AutoTrader "valued" the XC90 at £5.7k.

Is this cost/work worth it for the vehicle i.e. am I likely to see a good few years and miles out of it/it's a worthwhile investment?

I'm still within 30 days so can return to the dealer if this is a no-go. Naturally, the dealer will be asked to contribute to costs if it is worth fixing.

Thanks in advance,

James

What you have bought is someone else's left over . They have neglected it for years without getting work done ... you are now left to pick up the pieces.

Firstly you need a proper independent check over by a volvo dealer or independent who knows the car .

Yes of course it's worth doing then you are all set for another 100,000 + miles . you bought it cheap you have to expect it to need some maintenance work after 160,000 miles

I always recommend on here when buying an older XC90 to put £2500 aside for getting it up to scratch if necessary . your work will be a little more but I doubt if all they say is true for example bottom crank seals just don't leak unless they have been bodged ...
Its only just had an MOT !! so is it a dodgy MOT test or a Dodgy seller?

The power steering leak is most likely the cooler tubes at the bottom front of the radiator . This will be blowing back over everything else .

If there is no history get the belts and tensioners changed .

You would be better off spending more and buying a well kept car if that list of faults is genuine .

Deffo worth fixing - the biggest expense will be the rear shocks.

Lots to do but once sorted, could be a very reliable, comfy motor...

My XC90 is a 2009 and under the bonnet the engine looks nearly new.

Yes, I have some corrosion underneath on the chassis but nothing failed the legendary strict Swiss MOT check.

No leaks, no mess on engine or gearbox.
Shocks in good condition all round, none leaking
Belts were done at scheduled interval
Brake fluid done every 2 years like clockwork.


But I do have some maintenance issues:

One mirror does not fold. Ignoring it.

Parking brake is causing hassle again. Something for next service

Transmission torque converter has been slipping slightly every now and then. That's a $$$$ repair.

And my Winter allows have corroded to the point that 1 goes flat really fast and a 2nd has a slower leak. Got four 2nd hand rims in really good condition today (not perfect, but much better than mine) for only 50 CHF / 40 GBP per wheel. I thought that was OK. Will cost me 40 CHF per wheel to swap the tyres over....
Had to get the rims, repairing the bad one would have been a waste of money. Tried last year and it didn't last 12 months. Alloy corrosion is like cancer....

How does he know it needs a new water pump? Are you losing coolant? Did he remove the Cam belt cover and inspect the bearing? Doubtful!

The water pumps on the D5 are generally considered to be very reliable and hardly ever need changing. If your mechanic has made this up what else has he invented as needing repair? Clan is right- you need it assessed by someone who knows these cars.

Does the service record show a cam belt change? If so at what milage? Should be around 100K or 10years ( Ican't remember the exact milage as I prefer to change them early); if it was done by 100K then it shouldn't need doing again at 160K.

Your being unfair to his mechanic.
Because the mechanic recommends changing the waterpump doesn't mean he doesn't know anything. I dont need to remove any covers to know id change the pump and fit a full kit. I wouldn't be standing over it any other way. I dont care what any manufacturer says. I fitted belts and pumps for a living. If it fails its my problem. Will volvo pay for it if it goes wrong?

The question here is how a car can go through mot with not even a minor and in the same month then needs 4 shocks and bushes everywhere. Thats impossible, something is wrong. Also power steering leaking would also fail it.
If you are intending keeping it I would suggest you get the seller to sort the faults or pay for them and then you get the major service sorted for yourself to keep her right long term.

Wait a minute….

If you think 2.5k is a lot on an XC90 then return it.

Do you know how easy it is to get a 2.5k bill on a car that was £40,000 almost 15 years ago?

I bought mine when it was only 6 years old and I service and maintain it all myself. If I had a £4,000 repair bil that would be an inconvenience and I would just shell out the cash.

Not being rude but what you have done is bought probably the most complicated car Volvo ever made…

My 2009 MY R Design was £49,000 when I bought it in November 2008, albeit I'd waved the options stick at it for premium sound, nav, comms and family packs.

The exec started at about £48,000 without any options for the D5 and about 55 gees for the V8.

But price nitpicking aside I agree totally. Big expensive cars don't get cheaper to maintain just because they've got old. If you can't stomach big, complex, expensive bills the big, complex, expensive cars, aren't for you.

The fact that so much needs doing at once is indicative of a car that hasn't been maintained properly, probably owned by someone who couldn't afford to maintain it as such a car requires. Had it been maintained well these issues would gave been addressed as they cropped up rather than being left to fester until there were so many.

I'd be inclined to cut my losses, take it back, and find one in better order. Mine is about the same age with 10k less miles and is near perfect, no leaks, no worn shocks, no tired bushes, no ICE cutting out, which suggests that yours has had a bit of a hard time to be in that state when other of comparable age and mileage are so much tighter.

with all due respect you obviously are not familiar long term with volvo water pumps , , don't compare them to other lesser makes 👍

I dont care what manufacturer it is. When I get paid a few hours labour to stand over a job, that would cost thousands if it goes wrong, ill be changing the pump or I wouldn't take on the job.