2017 Volvo XC60 2.0L Petrol · AV67 VCN

The latest DVSA examination on 17 November 2025 resulted in a PASS with no defects or advisories recorded, indicating that at the time of test the vehicle met all statutory roadworthiness requirements. Looking at the broader history, the maintenance trend appears broadly stable with one notable exception. The car passed cleanly in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2025, but a failure occurred on 10 December 2024 which was rectified the very next day when it passed. Prior to that, an earlier test in December 2023 also recorded a failure on the nearside front tyre alongside several advisories for perishing and cuts affecting all four tyres. The recurring nature of these tyre-related issues, spanning multiple tests across consecutive years, suggests an ongoing concern rather than a one-off event, although the structure of the vehicle, brakes, suspension and emissions systems have otherwise remained unremarked upon by testers throughout the MOT history. The recorded mileage of 37,183 miles over approximately nine years equates to an annual average of around 4,131 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and type. Such low usage typically reflects a combination of short journeys and extended periods of standing, both of which carry distinct mechanical implications. Short trips are particularly hard on oil and coolant as they do not allow the engine and ancillary systems to reach full operating temperature, accelerating internal wear, fuel dilution of engine oil and the degradation of its additives. Extended standing, on the other hand, encourages corrosion of brake discs and calipers, oxidisation of fluid systems, deterioration of rubber components, and discharge of the 12 volt battery. There are no significant mileage gaps or sudden accumulations in the recorded history to suggest inconsistent usage patterns, and the year-on-year mileage progression appears steady and modest. Given the Volvo's age and likely standing periods, calendar-based degradation should be treated with equal importance to actual wear when assessing the vehicle. The most prominent recurring theme in the MOT history relates to the tyres, with multiple advisories for cracking and cuts on all four corners appearing in 2022 and 2023, culminating in two failures for cuts deep enough to expose the ply or cords on the nearside tyres in late 2023 and again in December 2024. This pattern strongly suggests the tyres fitted to this vehicle are perishing prematurely, likely as a consequence of age-related rubber hardening exacerbated by the low annual mileage and possible under-inflation if the vehicle is not regularly checked. A prospective buyer should carefully inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking, crazing and any exposed cords, paying particular attention to the nearside which has been repeatedly flagged, and should verify the manufacturing date by checking the DOT stamp on each sidewall as tyres older than six years should generally be replaced regardless of tread depth. During a test drive, listen for any increase in road noise which can indicate perished sidewalls flexing unusually, and check for uneven shoulder wear which may suggest alignment drift from kerpacing. It would be prudent to budget for a complete set of replacement tyres immediately upon purchase even if the current set appears legal. Beyond the tyre concerns, the low-mileage profile demands careful inspection of several time-sensitive components that would not necessarily be flagged on an MOT test. The 12 volt battery should be load-tested as batteries that have undergone repeated shallow discharge cycles from short journeys often fail without warning, particularly on vehicles with high electronic loads such as the Volvo XC60. Brake discs are likely to exhibit significant surface corrosion from infrequent use, and the caliper sliders and handbrake mechanism should be checked for binding, which would manifest as uneven pad wear, a pulling sensation under braking or a dragging handbrake requiring excessive effort to release. All fluid systems should be considered for replacement based on calendar age rather than mileage, including engine oil and filter, brake fluid which hygroscopically absorbs moisture and should be renewed regardless of condition, coolant which loses corrosion inhibition over time, and the automatic transmission fluid if so equipped. The headlamp washers were flagged as inoperative in December 2024 and although this was rectified for the subsequent pass, the system should be checked for correct operation during a pre-purchase inspection, ensuring both the washers deploy and the fluid jets are aimed correctly. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by a Volvo specialist or independent garage, combined with verification of full service history and ideally a diagnostic scan for any stored fault codes in the vehicle's numerous electronic control modules, would be highly advisable before committing to purchase.