2017 Volvo V90 2.0L Diesel · AF17 YRY

A pattern of recurring steering and tyre wear advisories defines the mechanical picture of this V90, even though it has never failed an MOT in the seven tests on record. The most recent examination on 2026-02-09 was a pass, but it carried an advisory for slight play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint, alongside a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit on the edge. The track rod end finding is particularly noteworthy for a buyer, because it represents the first appearance of steering component wear in the record, and on a 2017 Volvo with 133,318 miles it suggests the front suspension linkage is beginning to loosen. Earlier passes in 2025 and 2023 were entirely clean with no advisories, while the intervening 2024 test flagged both rear tyres as worn close to the limit on their inner edges, indicating a recurring geometry or loading issue at the rear axle rather than a one-off. The recorded mileage of 133,318 miles across nine registration years equates to roughly 14,800 miles per year on average, which is substantially higher than typical for a large Volvo estate and points to genuinely heavy use, most likely a combination of long motorway commutes and sustained daily driving. There are no significant gaps between tests, with the vehicle being examined annually from 2020 onwards, which is consistent with continuous operation rather than any extended periods off the road. This level of annual accumulation means the consumables and mechanical wearing components have been worked hard: the 2021 advisory for thin front brake pads fits that usage profile, and the 2022 advisories concerning front tyre edge wear and a nearside front outer tyre with several cuts reinforce a picture of a car that has covered plenty of miles on varied road surfaces. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority on inspection is the front steering and suspension geometry, given the track rod end play flagged in February 2026. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or wandering in the steering, particularly around the straight-ahead position where slight play in a track rod end tends to manifest as a small delay before the car responds to inputs. A second person rocking the steering while the vehicle is parked will also reveal excess movement at the front wheels. Equally, the inner-edge rear tyre wear recorded twice, in 2022 on the front and 2024 on the rear, warrants a careful check of the rear wheel alignment and any signs of uneven shoulder wear on the current tyres; on the road, expect a slight pull or uneven braking if the rear geometry is out of specification. Beyond the flagged components, the history of welded wheel repairs noted in 2021 and 2022 should be examined closely, as this typically indicates kerbing damage or impact strikes that can affect wheel balance and, in some cases, structural integrity. Inspect each wheel for cracks, distortion, or signs of poor-quality welding, and check for any vibration through the steering at motorway speeds. Given the high annual mileage and nine years of service, the brake discs themselves should be measured for wear and any lipping on the outer edges, and the handbrake holding ability tested on a slope. Finally, with this level of use it is prudent to check for the early signs of oil seepage around the engine and gearbox, listen for any timing chain rattle on a cold start, and verify the operation of the air conditioning and infotainment systems, all areas where age and mileage tend to expose weakness on a V90 of this vintage.