2018 Volvo XC60 2.0L Diesel · BA18 FCM

Across six recorded DVSA tests spanning 2021 to mid-2026, this 2018 Volvo XC60 presents a notably clean roadworthiness record, with every annual examination resulting in a pass and the most recent test on 9 July 2026 also recording no failures. Five of the six tests returned a clean sheet with no advisories or defects, and the only flagged items appeared at the most recent examination. That said, the emerging concern at the 2026 test is a pair of tyre advisories on the front axle, with both the offside and nearside front tyres noted as worn on their edges, the offside example close to the legal limit. Edge wear on both front tyres is a mechanical indicator worth taking seriously on a transverse-engined SUV of this type, pointing toward either misalignment of the front geometry, worn front suspension components allowing the wheels to deviate from their correct plane, or a combination of both. The sudden appearance of this pattern at the final test, after a run of completely clean results, suggests a developing issue rather than a long-standing characteristic of the vehicle. With 97,758 miles accumulated over roughly eight years of life, this XC60 is covering around 12,220 miles annually, which sits well above the typical average for a vehicle of its age and class. There are no gaps in the testing record, with MOTs recorded annually from 2021 through to 2026, indicating continuous use rather than extended periods off the road. High annual mileage of this order places proportionally greater wear on the consumables and chassis components that an MOT examines, including brake discs and pads, coil springs, suspension bushes and linkages, drive shafts and CV joints, and the steering rack and tie rods. Even though the test history is largely unblemished, a buyer should be aware that the mechanical components on a high-mileage SUV will be closer to the point at which renewal becomes necessary, even where no defects have yet been formally flagged. Given the front tyre edge wear advisories at the most recent test, a prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the condition of the front suspension on a test drive. Listen for any knocking or clonking from the front axle when traversing speed bumps or rougher tarmac, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar drop links, control arm bushes, or top mount bearings. Uneven or inner-edge tyre wear specifically can indicate that the front camber has shifted, often through fatigued spring seats or collapsed coil springs, so any sagging of the front end or uneven ride height should be noted. On the move, the steering should be checked for vagueness, pulling to one side under braking, or any tendency to tramline in road surface imperfections, all of which can accompany worn front geometry components. A four-wheel alignment check and a close inspection of the front tyres for any feathering or one-sided wear pattern is strongly advisable before purchase. Beyond the flagged tyres, the higher-than-average mileage warrants a careful look at the remaining items the MOT routinely examines, particularly the braking system. With this level of use, the brake discs are likely to be on their second or third set, so a test drive should include firm pedal applications from speed to check for judder, vibration through the steering wheel, or any pulsing that might indicate warped front discs. The handbrake should hold the vehicle on a moderate incline without creeping. The exhaust should be checked for any rattles or blowing sounds on the overrun, particularly around the centre and rear sections where salt exposure on a high-mileage SUV tends to cause corrosion from the inside out. Finally, on the test drive, listen for any clonking on initial drive engagement or tight manoeuvres, which on a Volvo XC60 of this generation can point to propshaft or rear driveshaft universal joint wear, and confirm that the automatic or manual transmission selects cleanly without hesitation or flare between ratios.