What do you make of this CarFax (2005 V70)?

[s2zeller]

2005 v70 CarFax

The relatively low miles vs the number of part replacements seems a little whack

Some things I'd expect and would be glad to have done, but some of the others (engine mounts at 30k and 56k, inner tie rods at 36k and 68k, radiator at 32k)... ?

Maybe I've been spoiled by a nearly bulletproof 850: mounts and tie rods were swapped out twice... in 300k; radiator never replaced. Or maybe I'm guilty of car abuse (but no one ever complained about the ride)?

[June]

I'd say the owner hit/ran something over hard resulting in the radiator being dammaged, the light could have been a fog light and the tie rods control arms also being dammaged. Notice later the ac system being recharged. No upper body damage though unless fixed under the table. June

[mrbrian200]

The relatively low miles vs the number of part replacements seems a little whack

Chicago neighborhood streets outside the central business/tourism areas are pure hell. The expressways and suburbs are a different story, which tend to be pretty good. Radiators don't like being jounced around that much. It also explains the amount of suspension work over the years.

It's at a used dealer in the Melrose Park neighborhood...sort of notorious area similar to the line of shady dealers along Western Ave. in the city (mob). Be extra cautious.

In Illinois, used car dealers are required to issue a valid emissions test for any vehicle they sell. It doesn't matter if you're taking it out of state to Wisconsin. Insist to see/get a copy of it. The last time the state tested/passed it was June 2015. It was due to be tested again 3 months ago. That may be one of the reasons why the PO got rid of it. $

There are also tons of people who commute via extensive mass transit and only touch the car for leisure/shopping during off peak traffic on weekends/evenings/occasional long distance excursion. Those are what you want. It could be.

Also consider, there's just enough there: Orloff new location-mileage-service items-plate renewal in Chicago IL (not the suburbs) there's also chance it was used to commute between the near north/west/loop/o'hare... which is practically idling along that barely ticks the odometer. The commute distance is relatively short, 8-15 miles, but 40-60+ minutes each way, every day. Wear and tear based on engine run hours can be more in line with suburban or rural owned cars with double-triple the mileage. Especially if they didn't keep the fluids changed on schedule.

[s2zeller]

Thanks all! I guess my CarFax reading skills aren't completely off.

We bought our 850, certified by the dealership, when it was 2 years old so I have zero experience with the used car shops. I appreciate any insight available.

I recall my dad either buying used off of people he knew or from a new car dealership's inventory... never from that space in between.

[oragex]

Looks like a great buy to me. Looks like a car owned by a gramma/pa that was been driven into every possible pothole, just like an old person. Had all maintenance done at the main dealer, that's the best find in the used cars market, plus it just had the timing belt.

Don't be scared by the control arms replaced, it's normal on poor roads, and it's great to know the car has almost brand new control arms and spring seats original Volvo parts. As for the engine mounts, the upper one is fragile as paper. The one thing I'd like to check is how the car drives over poor pavement: if the suspension feels rough, it means the struts/shocks need to be replaced.

The mileage done every year is consistent so no doubts the odometer is real.

Finally, that looks like a non turbo, sweet if you like good mpg and a bit less trouble/easier repairs.

[mrbrian200]

Looks like a car owned by a gramma/pa that was been driven into every possible pothole, just like an old person.

Deep potholes in Chicago are difficult to avoid. It's not an old people thing there. Densely packed faster flowing traffic-- there's no time to react, especially on through streets like Broadway, Ashland, Western, Foster, Irving Park Road etc. I've seen potholes nearly a foot deep on north Lake Shore Drive from time to time. Heaven forbid you need to venture down an alley to park in a rear garage/building parking lot or loading area for a high rise--yikes. I've lived there roughly half my adult life, visit often and might end up back there again. Just 90 miles from where I grew up/live at the present. Compared to basically every major city I've ever been, I marvel about how nice the streets are everywhere else. I cut through a residential neighborhood through Cleveland a few years back I couldn't believe how awesome the neighborhood streets are maintained there compared to Chicago. Same in Syracuse NY, Indianapolis, Denver, Colorado Springs, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, anywhere in Vermont, NYC/Long Island and New Jersey, Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham... the list goes on Chicago residential neighborhood streets are the worst I've ever seen anywhere. And it's always been that way.

[abscate]

I recall my dad either buying used off of people he knew or from a new car dealership's inventory... never from that space in between.

Dad smart man. Very smart man.

[Rattnalle]

Finally, that looks like a non turbo, sweet if you like good mpg and a bit less trouble/easier repairs.

The turbos actually get slightly higher mpg on the highway since they're geared a bit higher. Otherwise no significant difference in real world driving. Much more fun to drive tough.