2004 Volvo XC90 2.9L Petrol · FG54 YYO

This 2004 Volvo XC90 presents a worsening maintenance trend, with the most recent test on 4 April 2025 at 148,209 miles revealing significant mechanical degradation. The vehicle failed its initial test on 3 April 2025 before passing the very next day, with the pass achieved only after rectifying a defective offside front headlamp, a missing exhaust mounting, and a severely worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover. Left unresolved, the car carries multiple advisory defects into its current road use. The accumulation of suspension wear, fluid leaks, and compromised safety items indicates a sharp decline in overall roadworthiness. Mileage accumulation is consistent with the vehicle's age, averaging roughly 6,700 miles annually over 22 years. The car covered approximately 14,000 miles between April 2024 and April 2025, which represents typical use rather than neglectful standing or severe fleet abuse. However, the previous owner clearly deferred critical maintenance to the absolute legal limit. Failing the March 2024 test on four worn tyres, a broken rear registration plate lamp, and a severely weakened nearside rear suspension arm, only to pass two weeks later with the same worn brake discs still flagged as advisories, demonstrates a pattern of addressing only the bare minimum for a pass certificate while ignoring underlying wear. A buyer must thoroughly inspect the front suspension and underbody structure. The April 2025 test flagged a severely deteriorated nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover, paired with light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber. This follows the March 2024 failure for an excessively worn nearside rear suspension arm pin or bush and a damaged, seriously weakened nearside rear trailing arm. Widespread coil spring corrosion was also recorded across all four corners in 2024. These interconnected chassis faults point to advanced age and harsh use, requiring a full suspension assessment to ensure structural integrity and steering geometry remain intact. Powertrain and safety items demand immediate physical verification. An engine oil leak has persisted on advisory status since March 2024, now joined by a nearside front hydraulic leak flagged in April 2025. The nearside front seatbelt webbing is slightly frayed, which is an advisory that risks becoming a dangerous fail if the degradation worsens. Front brake discs have carried pitting and scoring advisories since October 2022, while a nail remains in the nearside rear tyre. A buyer should also investigate the excessively tinted front windows and windscreen, along with the headlamp lens coatings, as these point to a vehicle modified beyond standard tolerances.