Volvo 850 buying tips - Very old car..

[iv-tecman]

Anyone on here know what to look out for on a 1995 M registered Volvo 850 2.0 SE? Estate car, looks like crap, but looks fine for my needs. No, I'm not trading the Honda Accord for it.. LOL

I've got the chance to get one with 90K on the clock, 8 months MOT left, no tax, but looks to be in great running order, and bodywork looks fine. Used on a farm, so perfect for me as I'm going to cage it out for transporting two large collie dogs. Back seats will be ripped out, and I will install cages so we can drive the dogs to parks etc...

Wants £495 ono. I'm taking a look tomorrow, and need to know what to look for. Driveshafts, any points to look at for leaks, gearbox etc.. I don't want to spend £500 odd on a car, taxing and then it needs 2K of work doing to it.

Just cus it has MOT doesn't mean a thing.. Im hoping all the tires are 4mm but that's hoping.. Ideas anyone..? Thanks

 

[iv-tecman]

Since when is 1995 "very old" ?

Well it's 11 years old... I was only 20 when it was registered in the UK, and I bet it got built 6 months prior to this..

Sorry, I've been used to driving cars no older then 5 years old. I guess it's not old old, but its not new, and at £500 odd its not really anything but old to me.

*I'll get my coat on the way out..!! *

 

[iv-tecman]

The only real faults on 95/96 850s seem to be
1) air con evaporator rotting due to no air filter
2) rotors warping due to incorrectly torqued alloys
3) abs module failure (show as rear abs sensor failure)
4) engine mounting bushes failing and engine rotation splitting exhaust downpipe
5) rear oil seal leaking (needs engine/gearbox partly dismounting to fix and a few hours labour)
6) fuel pump relay/camshaft position sensor failures

The 2l was fairly gutless, but ok if you get it cheap with mot.

Thank you. I'm not bothered about top end, or how fast it gets to 50mph. It's only for nipping down to the local parks and fields, and vets etc.. Max round trip would be no more then 60 miles. Most of the trips being 10 miles if that.

It's for hauling dogs around etc... I liked the look of this, as the boot space looks huge. Lots of room for dogs, I did also consider a van, but then I get no side windows, and I'd llike the dogs to be able to look out the windows. Call me daft..!! LOL

I'll be sure to look out for the faults you list when I take a look later today.

thanks all..

Any, sorry 1995 is not old.. I did get that statement wrong.