I just bought a 2008 S60 2.5T with 101k miles. The used car dealer didn't have service records, so I have not idea if the timing belt has been replaced. If the timing belt is approaching failure, are there any warning signs, sounds, etc?

I suspect this isn't cheap to have Volvo replace it.

 

There are no signs other than $$$$ after the fact.
Service interval is 120,000mi on the timing belt as stated in the manual.
You need to know a mechanic before you need him/her.
Mechanics files: http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/
Ed

 

the timing belts almost always show signs of cracking when they are getting close to the service interval. id recomend inspecting the belt yourself or taking it in to have it inspected.most places will inspect the belt for free.

 

Recently I was in the market for purchasing an S60 and dealt with the same problem. It's between $600-$800 to have it replaced, depending on who you have do the job. I found one with 114k miles online at a dealership that advertised the timing belt already having been changed. I didn't assume they were lying, I just wanted some kind of evidence. They showed me that there was a factory Volvo sticker with a picture of the timing belt on it with the date and mileage at which it was changed. Although the work wasn't done at a Volvo dealership, if you use OEM parts they have a sticker that the mechanic will usually put on the car with this info. There is no way to definitively know if it has been changed by visual inspection alone. Me being the way I am, I found a way to get in touch with the previous owner (1 owner car) and he verified that he had the work done as the sticker said. Hopefully you can find something similar.