2006 Volvo S60 2.4L Diesel · RV06 RNJ

The Volvo S60 holds a current MOT valid until mid-May 2027 following a pass at 117,622 miles on 18 May 2026. The maintenance trend is broadly stable but shows a gradual accumulation of age-related wear items rather than a clean bill of health. The most recent test flagged play in both steering rack inner joints, a worn nearside front suspension arm rear bush, and deterioration of both front brake hoses. These are advisory-level defects rather than dangerous failures, yet they indicate the car is entering a phase where front-end components require closer monitoring. The nearside rear tyre was also noted as worn close to the legal limit on the outer edge, suggesting possible tracking drift or deferred tyre rotation. The mileage progression tells a story of very light use. Between the May 2023 test at 86,111 miles and the May 2024 test at 97,694 miles, the car covered roughly 11,500 miles in a year. That figure then dropped sharply to just 11,261 miles over the following twelve months, ending at 108,955 miles in May 2025. The most recent jump to 117,622 miles in May 2026 represents an increase to 8,667 miles in under a year. Annual distances of 8,000 to 11,000 miles are low for a diesel or petrol saloon of this age and suggest predominantly short, local journeys. Such use patterns can accelerate exhaust system corrosion, DPF clogging on diesel variants, and under-braking caused by light loads, all of which are consistent with the binding and hose deterioration noted in the record. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering rack. Repeated advisories for play in both inner rack joints across the 2025 and 2026 tests point to progressive wear in the rack itself or the inner tie rods. Check for clonking over uneven surfaces and have the rack boots inspected for splits that allow grease to escape and water to enter. The nearside front suspension arm bush flagged in 2026 should be examined alongside the offside equivalent and the rear bushes for perishing, particularly given the car's age. Both front brake hoses were described as slightly deteriorated in the latest test; look for cracking, bulging, or weeping at the fittings, and verify the condition of the hard lines underneath for corrosion. Tyre wear patterns deserve attention. The nearside rear outer edge wear appeared as an advisory in both 2025 and 2026, which on a rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive saloon often points to worn rear suspension bushes, a misaligned axle, or simply neglected tyre rotation. Inspect the rear trailing arm bushes, toe links, and shock absorbers for play or oil misting. Given the low-mileage, short-trip usage, a thorough underbody inspection for structural corrosion is sensible, especially around the subframe mounting points, sills, and rear arches. The intermittent horn and registration plate lamp faults seen in the 2025 failure appear to have been rectified, but a quick function check of all electrical accessories remains prudent.