2012 Volvo S60 2.0L Diesel · BT62 KBX

The Volvo S60 presents a mixed picture. Its most recent MOT, conducted on 20 August 2025 at 98,552 miles, passed but carried a cluster of advisories that signal a clear downward trend in suspension and structural condition. Both front suspension arm bushes were noted as worn and splitting, while both rear trailing arm bushes were debonding. The rear coil springs were flagged as corroded on both sides, and the offside rear tyre was cracking or perishing. This is a marked deterioration from the clean bill of health recorded just twelve months earlier in August 2024 at 94,759 miles. The maintenance trend is worsening, with multiple age-related structural and wear items surfacing simultaneously rather than being addressed proactively. The mileage accumulation is broadly typical for a 2012 vehicle, averaging roughly 7,000 miles per year. However, the record reveals a notable gap between October 2022 at 70,501 miles and October 2023 at 86,078 miles, where the car covered 15,577 miles in a single year. That spike in use, concentrated within a relatively short window, likely accelerated wear on consumables and suspension components. The subsequent jump to 94,759 miles by August 2024 and then to 98,552 by August 2025 shows a return to a steadier pace, but the damage from that busier period appears to have taken its toll. A buyer should focus their inspection on the rear suspension area in particular. The corrosion on both rear coil springs is a structural concern, not merely cosmetic, and corroded springs can fracture under load. The debonded trailing arm bushes suggest the rear suspension geometry may be compromised, which can cause uneven tyre wear and unpredictable handling. At the front, the splitting suspension arm bushes will need replacement to prevent excessive play and steering imprecision. The offside rear tyre advisory from the August 2025 test should be treated as a replacement item, not a monitoring one, given the cracking and perishing description. The rear brake pads were flagged as wearing thin in October 2023 at 86,078 miles, yet no brake defect appeared in the subsequent two tests. That suggests the pads were likely replaced, which is a positive sign of at least some mechanical attention. Still, the buyer should verify the condition of the rear brake discs and calipers for any binding or uneven wear, especially given the age and mileage. Overall, the car appears mechanically sound in its core systems but is entering a phase where suspension and corrosion-related repairs are becoming unavoidable.