What to look for in purchase

becdavies10 · Post by **becdavies10** » 13 Apr 2021, 17:35

I am looking at buying a 2001 XC70. This is my first volvo for a while and have been told that gaskets are a very slow thing to go with the volvos - you could have a bad gasket and you won't know for a while?

This car has done 198,000km, its recently had a water pump replaced due to leaking coolant. The coolant hasn't leaked since so I have been told, but is there anything to look out for? I have heard slow coolant looses can mean a bad gasket?

There has been a low coolant warning message that has stayed on but its not low. but I am assuming that could just be an inexpensive sensor - or are they related?

What else to look out for on a volvo this age?

patcal · Post by **patcal** » 13 Apr 2021, 19:44

When was the Timing belt changed, PCV system, regular maintenance records. If you are in doubt, have it inspected. There are a number of youtube videos on what to look out for.

darylrobert · Post by **darylrobert** » 22 Apr 2021, 06:04

198K is really low however its usually the auto (assume its auto) that goes on these cars if the oil isnt changed on a regular basis.

Post by **E Showell** » 22 Apr 2021, 07:51

Test drive for at least a half hour (no, I am not kidding). You need to warm up the transmission fluid to see if you are going to have issues -- harsh/ delayed shifts mostly. There are a number of potential transmission issues with '01s. Lots to read on this site. Problems mostly addressed by '03.

Me, I would stay away from an '01, but folks on here have done ok with them.

Read up on the potential issues on this site.