Models · Volvo
Volvo XC60 (2008–2017) buying guide
The first XC60, sold from 2008 to 2017 with a facelift in 2013. It launched with five-cylinder diesels and a 3.0 petrol, all four-wheel drive, and later gained 2.0 engines and front-wheel-drive versions. It's well made and kinder to its parts than many rivals.
The versions
- 2.4 five-cylinder diesels from launch, including the D5
- 2.0 diesels from 2010, including the D3, and the 181bhp D4 from 2013
- 3.0 petrol until 2013; 2.0 turbo petrol from 2011; turbocharged and supercharged 2.0 petrol from 2013
- Six-speed automatic, with an eight-speed automatic on facelifted front-wheel-drive cars; manuals offered later
- All-wheel drive at launch, with front-wheel-drive versions added later
What to check on a first-generation XC60
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
The cambelt
What to look for: Look in the history for the last cambelt change, with the date and mileage. Most XC60s are now past the 10-year limit, so at least one change should be recorded.
Why it matters: XC60 engines use a cambelt, due every 10 years or 108,000 miles. A belt changed on time is the most important item in the history and a sign of a car that's been looked after.
Automatic gearbox shifts
What to look for: On the drive, let the automatic change up and down through the gears, paying attention to the downshifts as you slow. Look in the history for gearbox fluid changes.
Why it matters: The automatic needs its fluid changing every three years, and smooth shifts, especially downshifts, are what you want. The eight-speed fitted to facelifted front-wheel-drive cars shifts more smoothly than the six-speed. On a manual, the clutch can wear early if the driver rests a foot on the pedal.
The electronic parking brake
What to look for: Apply and release the electronic parking brake several times with all doors shut, and check it releases cleanly each time with no warning message. Open and close each door and check the dashboard shows them correctly.
Why it matters: The electronic parking brake may refuse to release because a sensor mistakenly detects that a door, usually the driver's, is open. It's a known XC60 fault and a sensor fix rather than a brake problem.
Also in the full guide
- Water leaks and door locks
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the first-generation XC60
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Volvo.