Buying a xc90
 

Hi thanks for letting me join my question is I am looking to get a xc90 not sure of age but I want to use it for fishing and looking for a petrol automatic and will probably be looking at a high mileage what do I need to be looking at to get a good one . Depending on how the seats fold down I may even remove them thanks

The XC90 is a great car for fishing and lots of other activities.

Are you sure you want a petrol? If so avoid the T6 (poor geabox).
All the UK cars have 7 seats and all the rear seats fold down flat.

Fishing, parachuting, woodworking, waging war in the low countries, nothing an XC90 can't do even with a geabox.

What's your budget?

The early cars (upto circa 2006) had petrol engines of either 2.5 (badged 2.5T) turbo or 2.9 twin turbo (badged T6).

Avoid the T6 as gearbox failure is almost inevitable. Some people have run them trouble free for long periods but that's the exception rather than the norm.

The 2.5T is a good car but even the newest examples will be 16+ years old now so will likely have some issues.

After 2006 was the 3.2 normally aspirated (badged 3.2) and the 4.4 V8. Both are very good, reliable installations - the 3.2 is "adequate" for the weight of car but super smooth to drive, the V8 is just wonderful. Engines apart - the later petrol models are identical to the more common D5 diesels so servicing and parts etc. no problem.

UK spec 3.2's are quite hard to find, as are V8's, but there are several low mileage Jap imports appearing on the market. Check the specs carefully on import cars (i.e. make sure they have 7 seats).

Full (or close) to service history is king - trying to run these cars as a cheap banger (unless you can maintain them yourself) rarely ends well - but looked after properly and put to the right uses they can be good value and rewarding to own.

Thanks
 

Thanks for replying all my reasons for a petrol is all the problems I’ve had with my diesel camper van dpf even with it doing long runs 95% of the time fishing locally may have more short runs with the xc90 so not bothered about mpg I am looking at a budget of upto £20 k.

£20k will get you just about any MK1 XC90 but the best models (MY2012-MY2014) were only diesels. The Volvo DPF systems are the best and most reliable of any manufacturer and on an otherwise healthy car, they never give trouble.

^^^^^^^^ Agree - 146,000 on a 2013 and no issues to-date, just basic service items. And the R-Design leather seats are soo comfy!!

The DPF on the XC90 is a passive system, doesn't suffer the problem typical to other manufactuers. Its also pretty enormous, no real chance if clogging it unless it becomes damaged internally.

Indeed, probles with XC90 DPF's per se is close to unknown. The only time they tend to act up is when a fault elsewhere causes problems such as overfuelling, etc.

Theres no EOYLS to refil or metering system to break, so nothing to go wrong. Even if you somehow physically manage to smash the unit itself new pattern items start at about £132.

It really is a non issue on the XC90. I've had 3 and none has suffered a sniff of a problem,

Completely agree - after our 2009 was written off we went for a 2014 with just 50000 on clock and in immaculate condition and well serviced for £17k.
Never had any DPF issues with any of our XCs despite mainly doing local school and shop runs. Get regular DPF issues with our Polo doing much the same though.

Xc90 2.4d5 engine are very reliable keep going and going as long as serviced regular! Sold ours 2 years ago with 160k miles it’s still going strong now with 195k on the clock. 2006 model.