2012 Volvo V40 2.0L Diesel · FT62 FTN

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward reactive rather than proactive care. The most recent test on July 7, 2026 at 104,390 miles identified multiple advisories including worn tyres, thin offside rear brake pads, and a worn nearside front lower suspension bush. While the car passed, the accumulation of these wear-and-tear items suggests that the owner only addresses mechanical faults when they reach the point of MOT failure, rather than performing scheduled preventative maintenance. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 14-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,500 miles per year. There is a notable gap in the records between November 2020 and January 2022, where the car covered only 4,769 miles over fourteen months. However, usage has become more frequent recently, with 32,000 miles logged between January 2022 and July 2026. This increase correlates directly with the higher frequency of failures and advisories seen in the latter half of the vehicle's history. A buyer must conduct a close inspection of the suspension geometry, as the record shows recurring issues with suspension arms and bushes. The tester flagged an excessively worn offside rear bush in January 2025 and a worn nearside front bush in July 2026, indicating potential uneven tyre wear and alignment issues. The offside rear wheel was also noted as distorted in early 2025, which should be checked for vibrations at high speeds. Structural integrity should be monitored for corrosion, though no structural failures are recorded to date. The braking and tyre systems require immediate attention. The vehicle has repeatedly failed for tyres being below the legal tread limit, specifically in 2017 and early 2025. The July 2026 advisory for thin offside rear brake pads means a full brake inspection of pads and discs is necessary to prevent scoring. Given the previous failure for sidewall bulges in 2024, the buyer should verify the current set of tyres for structural damage or deformation to ensure they are not nearing the end of their life.