2017 Volvo XC90 2.0L Petrol · LL17 HSX

The most recent MOT test on 6 August 2026 resulted in a pass, although this followed a failed attempt just one week earlier on 29 July 2026 which was driven by a dangerous defect recorded against the nearside front road wheel. The dangerous failure concerned a fractured inner surface where the wheel weld is located, a serious finding indicating the wheel itself had become structurally compromised and required immediate replacement before the vehicle could lawfully be presented again. With that defect rectified, the retest passed, but two advisories remained live for slight play in both the nearside and offside front lower suspension arm ball joints, items that had also been flagged on the failed test and which had therefore carried over. Looking across the full DVSA history from 2021 through to the present, the maintenance trend can best be described as broadly stable but with a clear pattern of recurring wear-related advisories, particularly concerning suspension and steering joints, brake pads, and rear tyre condition. The accumulation of advisories around front suspension ball joints and earlier track rod end play in 2023 suggests that the front-end geometry and steering components are under progressive stress, and a prospective buyer should treat these not as one-off observations but as indicators of a wear pattern likely to require further attention in the near term. Against an age of approximately nine years, the recorded mileage of 120,087 miles equates to an annual average of around 13,343 miles, which is higher than typical for a vehicle of this vintage and points to sustained motorway and long-distance use rather than predominantly urban or short-journey operation. The mileage progression across the MOT record appears consistent, with no significant gaps or periods of standing evident in the data, which means calendar-based deterioration such as corrosion from disuse or fluid degradation through lack of circulation is less of a concern than mechanical wear from active service. However, the higher-than-average annual mileage does imply that consumables including brake pads, discs, tyres, drive belts, and turbocharger components on the XC90's diesel or petrol drivetrain will have endured greater cumulative stress, and any evidence of recent major servicing should be scrutinised carefully. The most pressing items to investigate on a physical inspection are the front lower suspension arm ball joints flagged at the latest test, and the history of track rod end play noted in 2023. On a road test, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension when traversing speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, and pay attention to any vagueness or wandering from the steering, uneven or feathered wear across the front tyres indicating geometry misalignment, and vibration through the steering wheel that could also suggest worn suspension bushes or top mounts. Given the recurring advisories for rear tyres worn on the inner shoulder in both 2021 and 2025, the rear wheel alignment or rear suspension geometry should also be checked, as repeated inner-edge wear on a Volvo XC90 can indicate worn rear suspension bushes, weak coil springs, or tracking irregularities that warrant a four-wheel alignment check and a thorough inspection of the rear subframe mounting points. The front brake pads were noted as wearing thin in both 2024 tests, and while not re-recorded since, a buyer should measure remaining pad material and inspect the discs for lipping, hot spots, or surface corrosion, especially given the higher annual mileage which accelerates pad wear. Beyond the recorded defects, the age and mileage profile of this XC90 dictate attention to a number of time and use-based items not necessarily captured in the MOT data. Inspect the tyre sidewalls carefully for perishing or cracking from age, as rubber compounds degrade over time regardless of tread depth, and verify that all four tyres are of matching specification and age. Check the 12V battery health, as Volvo vehicles of this generation are sensitive to voltage drops and a failing battery can cause spurious electrical faults. Examine the underside for any signs of fluid leaks from the engine, transmission, transfer box, or rear differential, and confirm that the timing belt or timing chain service interval has been observed according to manufacturer schedule, as this is a known major-cost item on higher-mileage Volvos. Finally, verify the full service book stamping history, ensure that all required diagnostic fault codes have been cleared, and confirm that the dangerous wheel failure has been properly addressed with a replacement of suitable specification rather than a repaired or second-hand component of unknown provenance.