2018 Volvo XC60 2.0L Petrol · NU18 KWM

The Volvo XC60 currently holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 28 April 2026 at 79,318 miles with zero defects recorded. That clean pass is significant given the car failed just seven days earlier on 21 April 2026 at 79,308 miles. The April failure flagged a split front exhaust flexi pipe causing a minor gas leak, excessive carbon monoxide emissions on the second fast idle test, a Lambda reading outside specified limits, and an inoperative engine malfunction indicator lamp. The fact that all four defects were resolved before the retest suggests the previous owner addressed the exhaust and emissions faults promptly rather than ignoring them. The maintenance trend is therefore improving at the point of sale, though the underlying cause of the emissions failure warrants closer scrutiny. The mileage progression is consistent and unremarkable for an eight-year-old vehicle. Between the April 2024 test at 64,565 miles and the April 2026 test at 79,318 miles, the car covered roughly 14,750 miles in two years, averaging around 7,375 miles annually. That sits comfortably within the typical range and indicates regular use rather than prolonged standing or excessive motorway accumulation. No suspicious gaps appear in the record, and the annual testing pattern has been maintained without interruption. Buyers should focus their physical inspection on the front exhaust flexi pipe and surrounding manifold area. A split flexi pipe that failed emissions testing could indicate underlying exhaust system stress, heat damage, or a replacement part of questionable quality. Have a garage verify the repair and check for any remaining exhaust gas leaks, particularly at flange joints and the catalytic converter connections. The Lambda reading anomaly and inoperative MIL lamp from the April failure also mean the engine management system deserves a diagnostic scan to confirm no stored fault codes remain and that all readiness monitors have reset correctly. The 2024 failure history reveals a pattern of rear brake and suspension wear that a buyer should not overlook. The offside rear shock absorber was flagged for a serious fluid leak in April 2024, and the rear brake discs and inner pads were both below acceptable thickness at the same test. While these items may have been replaced before the 2025 and 2026 clean passes, there is no explicit record confirming replacement. Inspect the rear shock absorbers for fresh oil misting or wetness around the seal area, and check the rear brake disc thickness and pad material depth. The offside rear tyre was also worn to 3mm on the inner edge in 2024, suggesting possible tracking or suspension geometry issues that may have recurred if the shock absorber was not properly replaced. A thorough four-wheel alignment check and suspension bounce test are advisable before purchase.