Hey gang! Glad to know this forum is here.

I've never owned a Volvo, but I've fallen in love with the S60. I found a 2002 which might be in my price range. It's an S60 T5 pretty much loaded with the optional features. 79,000 miles on it and a price tag from a mom and pop operation - no manufacturer affiliation - of $10,995.

There was a carfax entry from 5/27/02 - at mile 8 on the odometer - which says "Vehicle serviced. Transmission checked." This, just after the post at mile 5 which said "Vehicle serviced. Pre-delivery inspection completed."

My thought is that somebody drove it and had some worries, then checked the transmission but did not service it. Of course, when I drove it I didn't detect a problem, but I know nothing about cars.

Except for those two entries above, there a ZERO records showing any service or maintenance was done.

So, here are the questions. First, should I be worried about the "transmission checked" entry since it was 78,000 miles ago? Second, what weight should I put into the fact that there are no entries for service/maintenance subsequent to purchase? As part of that, if a car goes through regular maintenance should there be entries for each of those?

Another thing you might like to know is that none of the spaces for scheduled maintenance are filled out in the Warranty and Service booklet, but I've looked at a lot of Volvos and only saw the things filled out fully once (I was going to offer on that one but the dealership sold the car while I was test-driving it!!). Is this something that should turn me away from the car?

I look forward to hearing what you guys think. Since it already has so many miles I'm going to have a mechanic give me his opinions on the car unless you guys tell me to stay away.

Thanks in advance!

 

The one entry might just have been a new tranny software upgrade that needed to be done.

Not all people have them serviced at the Dealer. Does the place selling it have any history?

Yes have it inspected.

 

My sellers don't, but the report does ID the dealer as being the Memphis, TN Volvo dealer and the car also passed TN emissions checks. Title was issued in Franklin, TN and there's a dealer there, too.

I suppose what I could do is call those dealers with the VIN and find out whether they've got service records and maybe even know the owner. Since it's turbo, I might like to know if a teenager was driving the car!

 

Might not be a bad idea to try that.

 

Make Sure get it checked out

Also A lot of Volvo owners say never buy an S60 unless it has a Complete Service history

 

I called the seller this a.m. and he was able to get the service records for the car from a dealer in Nashville, TN near where the prior owner must've driven the car. Here's what those showed, all under warranty service. This is not complete - just the highlights of general interest and/or concern:

Edit: It looks like what I'm taking this from is a printout straight from Volvo. It has a url at the bottom which begins https://vrc2.volvocars.com. There is also what looks to be codes for each of the entries so I've added them below

Bulb tail lamp replaced in 2003 code 35112
"TNN 43-xx CPS4 SW Tr...." (it cut off?) in 2002 code 04371
Fuel leak - Software control mod...(it cut off) in 2004 code 36004
Diagnostic trouble c... (it cut off) in 2004 code 36001
Link anti-roll bar r...(it cut off) in 2004 code 76216
Weatherstrip door mi...(it cut off) in 2004 code 99041
Gaskets oil return... (it cut off) in 2005 code 25837
Brake control module... (it cut off) in 2005 code 59301
Pedal position senso... (it cut off) in 2005 code 38611
Software control mod (it cut off) in 2006 code 36004
Nothing since 2006. However, it's a one-owner vehicle so I don't know why it stopped unless the people moved.

Also it's got condensation inside both the left AND right glass headlight covers.


The bottom line is I'm going to take this puppy to a certified Volvo mechanic, bring these entries to his attention and see what he says.
Regarding price, even for this mileage this is below what Kelley Blue Book says a dealer would sell for it. Nevertheless, if my mechanic gives this car the thumbs up I'm prob. not going to pay more than 10 for it. I've still got other cars I'm interested in which are pricier but within my range.One of special interest is a 2004 model with 38k miles on it, but it's not turbo.