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Hi Anne,

An all-new Volvo XC90 is due in Ireland in 2015 so the current car is being phased out. The last examples sold in the country are in either D4 or D5 diesel spec with a Geartronic automatic gearbox. They both sat in Band F for road tax, costing €1,200 per annum.

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Hi Peter,

It depends on the year but with that sort of mileage XC90s seem to vary from as little as €9,000 to as much as €19,000 for a fully-loaded model from a main dealer. I'd say a safe enough bet would be to ask for around €11,000.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Nessa,

Yes, no reason why you shouldn't. Obviously make sure the condition, mileage and history are all in order, but beyond that there are very few things to specifically look for as V70s tend to be built like the proverbial tanks and can easily shrug off high mileage if they're looked after. In fact, according to Volvo's official line on these things, a car with that mileage is only half way through its life...

Things to watch for? Listen out for any unpleasant noises from the front suspension - it's an acknowledged weak point and excess wear and tear is not unusual. Keep an eye on the front tyres too, as they burn through 'em. The engine's only major weak point is its injector system, but you'll know straight away whether yours has problems or not - if it's reluctant to start or belches out great clouds of black smoke when it does start, walk away.

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Hi Joe,

We asked Volvo Ireland this, but it can't give a figure without your registration or chassis number. Send that onto us in private using this contact form and we'll find out - we won't publish the details on the site of course.

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Hi Joe,

According to the official figures, you should be able to get 30.7mpg. We used to think that was quite impressive at the time...

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Hi Paul,

The turbos go so beware of blue or black smoke from the exhaust, and check the convertible hood for any signs of wear and tear. If it's leaking (damp carpets are the giveaway) then replacement parts and repairs can be very expensive. Check too for uneven tyre wear - it can just be that the previous owner has kerbed the wheels but it can also be an indication that the car has damage to its driveshafts.

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Hi Joe,

The last-generation S60 got a bit unfairly hit by various Irish tax regimes (it never had an engine under 2.0 litres for instance), but it's actually a cracking car - well built and superbly comfy, as Volvos tend to be. Keep an eye out for minor electronic glitches (the cruise control and electric windows seem to be vulnerable points) and if the engine is 'lumpy' when you're switching it off, you're looking at injector issues - expensive ones.

In terms of day-to-day running costs, it should do 44mpg with a manual gearbox (a little less with the optional automatic) and emissions of 175g/km mean you can tax it for €750 a year. That's pricey, but better than buying a pre-2008 model (2008-2009 was the last full year of production) when the engine capacity would land you with a €1,034 tax bill. One running cost to keep an eye on is front tyres. The S60 is quite nose-heavy and has a massive turning circle, things that tend to banjax the front boots. Check any potential purchase for worn rubber and budget for at least a new set every year.

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Hi Sue,

Safety record? Not really. The XC90 was first crash tested back in 2003 when Euro NCAP only gave stars for overall performance and pedestrian impact. At the time, the XC got a full five-star rating (rare at the time). Since then its score has only been matched in the class by the Mercedes-Benz M-Class in 2008, the Volkswagen Touareg in 2004, the BMW X5 in 2003 and, in the past couple of years, the new Mercedes M-Class, the new Range Rover and the Hyundai Santa Fe. Out of those, only the X5 and the Santa Fe come with seven seats (optionally in the case of the X5) and neither can match the space or comfort of the Volvo.

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Hi Sue,

There's only one serious recurring problem and it's an issue with the diesel injectors that can be very expensive to fix. If the car is reluctant to start or accelerates sluggishly, leave it and walk away. Otherwise, you just have to make sure that it has a full Volvo service history - the XC90 is quite a complex vehicle and needs to be properly cared for, so if any servicing has been skipped, it's starting on the road to trouble. Likewise, have a careful check for ill-fitting body or interior panels. Everything should be straight and true (XC90s are high in quality) and if it isn't then you need to suspect accident or off-roading damage.

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Hi Patrick,

Volvo tends to build its cars pretty tough and the S80 is no different. Make sure that the timing belt (and its tensioners and pulleys) have been attended to at service time and that all of the electrics are working properly - apparently the S80 has a habit of warning of electrical failures when the components are actually fine.