Volvo V70 2009 knocking noise

Gotkeys

I am.viewing a 2009 2.0D Volvo V70 tomorrow. The seller has told me it makes a knocking noise from the front when going over potholes and needs new bushes.
Is this the most likely thing or could it be something else? Any idea how much new bushes would cost?
I'm looking for a cheap family runaround. This car has low owners and service history so seems to be a good buy, but would like to avoid buying a problem!

MCT56

If you have the reg number have a look for free at the mot history on the gov website. There may have been an advisory for worn bushes or similar recorded the last time it was mot,d. Alternatively go to motorscan website and again you will get free info about the mot. It also enables you to buy a more comprehensive check for a small fee which will tell you if the vehicle has ever had recorded damage, etc etc. If in doubt ask if you can get it checked over by a mechanic. If it is bushes phone a garage for a quote to replace them.

EssexExile

If I was selling a car that just needed a few new bushes I'd fit a few new bushes before selling it.

paul_c123

EssexExile said:

If I was selling a car that just needed a few new bushes I'd fit a few new bushes before selling it.

And if I was selling a car that needed quite a lot of money spent on it, I might decide not to spend that money, but say to a non-mechanically knowledgeable person "it just needs a few new bushes, shouldn't cost much".

And if that person (or any person) said "I'll get a second opinion from a mechanic" the next reply might be "oh, would you believe it......the car's just sold to someone else, you've missed out".

jimjames

EssexExile said:

If I was selling a car that just needed a few new bushes I'd fit a few new bushes before selling it.

Bushes might be cheap to buy, fitting them might not be!

paul_c123 said:

EssexExile said:

If I was selling a car that just needed a few new bushes I'd fit a few new bushes before selling it.

And if I was selling a car that needed quite a lot of money spent on it, I might decide not to spend that money, but say to a non-mechanically knowledgeable person "it just needs a few new bushes, shouldn't cost much".

And the other usual one - air con doesn't work, it just needs a regas!

Arunmor

jimjames said:

And the other usual one - air con doesn't work, it just needs a regas!

It's a 16 year old car of course the A/C is gubbed 

Barkin

A knock on a 16 yr old V70, with undisclosed mileage, could be a cheap easy fix, an eye wateringly expensive one, or anything in between.

Goudy

Different types of knocks, clonks and rattles from a cars suspension can often give you an idea what is wrong.

A rattly, looser knocking noise that originates on one corner but can be felt right across the front end under your feet is generally a worn anti roll bar drop link.
(the anti roll bar is the bar that ties the front suspension together which is why you can usually feel it rattle across the front of the car)
Common enough complaint on most cars these days and cheap enough to fix.

Other worn bushes etc generally feel isolated to one particular wheel and clonk/knock, once or twice over a pothole rather than a looser rattling sound that can go on a bit after the pothole. 

Gotkeys

Thanks all, I decided against the volvo in the end, the seller was drip feeding me various issues with the car before I viewed it.

I'm picking up a 24 year old mondeo on the weekend instead. It's 1 owner with 24K on the clock, full MOT. I may wish I stuck to the Volvo when I collect it but we will see!