2006 Volvo XC90 2.4L Diesel · NP04 DAD

The mechanical story behind this 2006 Volvo XC90 is dominated by a cluster of front-end steering and suspension defects, with three of the last four recorded tests producing failure items concentrated around the drag links, track rod ends, steering column, and lower suspension arm ball joints. The most recent test on 25 October 2025 returned a pass, but only after the same drag link end ball joint play that was flagged as an advisory on the failed attempt four days earlier had been addressed, and the rear exhaust insecurity, nearside headlamp lens, and outer CV boot split from that failure had also been rectified. Looking back further, the October 2024 test exposed both lower suspension arm ball joint dust covers as compromised, alongside a headlamp aim defect and an inoperative centre rear seatbelt, while the November 2023 attempt failed on excessive steering column movement, an offside front track rod end with excessive play, and an under-performing parking brake. The trajectory therefore shows a vehicle with multiple recurring advisories across steering and suspension components and several Major defects in successive years, rather than a record that can be described as stable or improving. Against an age of roughly twenty years, the recorded 126,480 miles equates to an annual accumulation of around 6,300 miles, which sits broadly in line with typical use for a vehicle of this vintage. There is, however, a notable seven-year gap in the testing history between the March 2016 pass and the October 2023 attempt, which means the intervening mileage accumulation and any mechanical deterioration during that period cannot be confirmed from official records alone. The dense cluster of advisories and failures recorded from 2023 onwards suggests either accelerated wear on ageing components consistent with the vehicle's age and mileage, or that dormant issues surfaced once regular testing resumed. For a buyer, this means the recent annual mileage bracketed by tests is necessarily higher than the long-term average implies, and the wear on consumable steering, suspension, and underbody components should be assumed to reflect that more intensive recent usage. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection squarely on the front axle. The repeated advisories and failures relating to drag link end ball joints, the track rod end, and the lower suspension arm ball joint dust covers point to a steering and front-suspension package that is at the end of its service life on this vehicle. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, pay particular attention to any wandering or vagueness in the steering, and check for uneven front tyre shoulders which would confirm misalignment from worn linkages. With the steering column having previously exhibited excessive up-and-down movement, the column should be firmly checked for play with the engine off, and any looseness or rattling under the dashboard treated as a likely immediate rectification item. The other recorded failures warrant specific checks during viewing. The split outer CV boot on the nearside front drive shaft means the joint itself may already be compromised by ingested dirt, so listen for clicking or knocking on full-lock turns and feel for any vibration through the transmission. The insecure rear exhaust and the seriously defective nearside headlamp lens should be physically inspected to confirm the repairs are durable rather than temporary, and the centre rear seatbelt functionality should be verified by retracting and latching it several times. Finally, given the vehicle's age and the gap in its testing record, a thorough examination of the underbody for corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points and subframe areas common to older XC90s, is essential, along with a check for any oil misting from the engine and transmission that could indicate developing seal failures not yet flagged at MOT level.