2013 Volvo V60 2.0L Diesel · SK13 ACF

The most recent DVSA MOT test, conducted on 26 February 2024, resulted in a Pass, though four advisories were issued against the vehicle. Reviewing the overall test history, the maintenance trend presents a mixed but broadly stable picture, with a recurring pattern of front-end wear issues rather than any worsening trajectory. The 2024 pass was preceded by a failure just four days earlier on 22 February 2024, which was caused by an ABS warning lamp indicating a fault in the anti-lock braking system; this is a notable electrical or sensor-related concern that warranted immediate attention. Across the recorded tests spanning 2019 to 2024, advisories relating to front tyres, front anti-roll bar linkage and track rod ends, and front exhaust flexi leakage have appeared repeatedly, suggesting these are known wear points on this particular V60 that a buyer should monitor closely. With 131,442 miles recorded on a 2013 vehicle, the annual mileage works out at approximately 10,111 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a car of this age. There are no significant gaps in the MOT testing record from 2019 onwards, indicating consistent usage rather than long periods of standing. At this mileage on a thirteen-year-old Volvo, mechanical wear on consumable components such as suspension bushes, brake discs and pads, drivetrain mounts, and timing-related service items should be expected to be advancing. The relatively steady annual usage is generally favourable in terms of preventing calendar-based degradation, although the cumulative mileage does place the vehicle in a bracket where major drivetrain and suspension refurbishment may be approaching. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the recurring advisory items. The front tyres showing close-to-legal-limit edge wear on both nearside and offside positions across multiple tests suggests an underlying suspension geometry or alignment issue that has not been fully rectified; an uneven wear pattern persisting over several MOTs often points to worn front bushes, weak springs, or a tracking problem that returns after adjustment. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate the anti-roll bar linkage ball joint play noted in 2024 has progressed, and feel for vagueness or wandering in the steering that could confirm the track rod end play which has been flagged repeatedly since 2020. The 2021 failure for excessive play in the offside front track rod end ball joint and an insecure dust cover on the nearside suggests the steering components were replaced or rectified at that point, so verify any invoices for this work and check the current state of the steering rack and track rod ends carefully. The front exhaust flexi leak advisory from 2024 is a common failure point on higher-mileage Volvos and typically manifests as a ticking or hissing noise on cold start, worsening as the engine warms; if still present, replacement of the front flexi section is a relatively straightforward but necessary repair. The rear brake disc scoring and pad wear advisories from 2019, along with the rear brake imbalance advisory from 2023, indicate the rear braking system has been gradually deteriorating and may now require disc and pad replacement. Additionally, the 2022 advisories for worn rear suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides should be checked, as these can lead to imprecise rear handling and uneven rear tyre wear. Finally, given the vehicle's age and mileage, a buyer should independently inspect the condition of all tyres for sidewall cracking and perishing from age, verify the 12V battery health as it is well beyond typical service life, check for any signs of fluid leaks beneath the vehicle, confirm the timing belt and auxiliary drive belt replacement history as these are age-related service items on this engine, and ensure that all fluid changes including brake fluid, coolant and transmission oil have been carried out at the manufacturer-specified intervals regardless of mileage.