2018 Volvo XC90 2.0L Petrol · LR18 VPF

A pattern of rear brake deterioration is the defining mechanical thread running through this Volvo's MOT history, with advisories clustering repeatedly on the rear axle across multiple consecutive tests. From the very first recorded test in 2021, both rear brake pads were flagged as wearing thin, followed in 2024 by renewed advisories for thin inner pads on both sides and pitted rear brake discs on the nearside and offside. The 2025 test then escalated the offside rear further, recording a deteriorated outer brake pad alongside continued disc pitting and scoring, plus a mis-shaped tyre on the inside edge. Most recently, the April 2026 pass was issued with an advisory for slight fraying on the offside front seat belt webbing. With no failures recorded across the four-year DVSA history and the majority of advisory items concentrated at the rear axle rather than across the whole braking system, the record is pass-led but signals that rear braking components are on a consumable wear cycle that warrants close physical inspection. Annual mileage accumulation sits at roughly 9,500 miles per year over the vehicle's eight-year life, which is broadly typical for a large family SUV of this age and indicates the car has seen consistent rather than exceptional use. There are no significant gaps in the MOT testing sequence, with annual tests recorded every spring from 2021 through 2026, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular service rather than being laid up for extended periods. This steady usage pattern is mechanically reassuring in that consumables such as the timing belt, turbo seals, and electronic modules have remained active, though the rear brake wear pattern indicates the braking duty cycle has been sufficient to consistently wear the rear pads and discs ahead of the front items. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection focus must be the rear braking system in its entirety. The offside rear has now been flagged across two consecutive years for both pad condition and disc wear, so a test drive should include firm pedal applications to listen for any grinding, scraping, or squeal from the rear hubs, and the car should be checked at low speed for any pulling that could indicate a binding offside caliper. The rear discs should be physically inspected for lipping, and the inner pad material on both sides measured with a torch and mirror if possible, as inner pad wear can be hidden behind the caliper. The mis-shaped offside rear tyre inside edge recorded in 2025 also warrants confirmation that this tyre has since been replaced and that the wheels have been checked for alignment, as an inner-edge wear pattern can indicate suspension geometry issues rather than simple tyre ageing. Beyond the braking components, the front suspension and underbody should be examined carefully given the vehicle's age and weight class, even though no advisories have been raised in these areas to date. On the test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would point to worn anti-roll bar drop links or lower control arm bushes common to vehicles of this platform. The offside front seat belt webbing flagged in April 2026 should be visually inspected for the extent of the fraying, as this is a safety-critical item that may now require replacement before the next test. Finally, with the 2025 test also recording slight cracking and damage to the offside rear tyre and a 2022 advisory for a nearside rear sidewall cut, all four tyres should be checked for age-related perishing, particularly on the sidewalls, and the tyre pressures monitored for any slow loss that could indicate rim corrosion beneath the bead.