2017 Volvo XC90 2.0L Hybrid electric · GU17 YKM

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT pass certificate dated 5 March 2026 at 121,527 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That same day, the car failed twice before finally passing, with the tester flagging a non-functioning central rear seat belt buckle, service brake efficiency below requirements, and parking brake efficiency below requirements. The fact that three separate tests were conducted on one day suggests the owner was scrambling to rectify serious mechanical faults rather than maintaining the car proactively. A pass on the third attempt does not erase the underlying pattern of neglect evident in the broader record. At roughly 13,500 miles per year, the annual mileage is high for a luxury SUV of this age. The jump from 114,077 miles on 1 April 2025 to 121,527 miles by 5 March 2026 represents approximately 7,450 miles in under eleven months, confirming sustained heavy use. The MOT history itself is sparse, with no recorded tests between 2017 and early 2025, leaving a significant gap in documented roadworthiness. This absence of regular testing raises questions about whether the vehicle was kept on the road without valid certification for extended periods. The 2025 failures reveal a car that had deteriorated significantly before its most recent pass. Excessively worn front lower suspension arm ball joints, worn suspension arm pins and bushes, play in the steering rack inner joints, and perishing tyres on all four wheels point to deferred front-end maintenance. A buyer should have the front suspension and steering rack thoroughly inspected, paying close attention to ball joint boots, bushings, and any clunking or vagueness in the steering. The perishing tyres flagged in March 2025 also suggest the vehicle may have stood for long periods between use, which can cause flat-spotting and sidewall cracking not always visible at a glance. The brake-related failures on the most recent test date are the most concerning finding. Both service and parking brake efficiency fell below minimum requirements, and while the car ultimately passed, there is no evidence in the record of what repairs were carried out. A buyer must verify the condition of brake discs, pads, calipers, and the parking brake mechanism in person. Binding calipers, uneven disc wear, or a handbrake system that fails to hold on an incline would indicate the underlying fault was masked rather than properly resolved. The central rear seat belt buckle issue, though minor in isolation, adds to a picture of a vehicle where basic safety items were left unaddressed.