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Your indie mechanic should be able to tell if it has been collision damage. Be aware that while a good indicator, CarFax does not have access to all records. Our '96 Dodge Caravan was in a serious accident while my wife was driving (someone hydroplaned across a median and knocked her off the highway, nearly missing an oak and a pond.. she was 8 months pregnant) which ran our insurance company $6,000 to repair. If a window had broken out or the airbags deployed they would have totalled it. Anyway, that was in '99 and the carfax report on our van still comes up clean.
My '95 855t had it's rear seal replaced at 57k when the tranny failed and was replaced under warranty. Have your indie check brake rotor thickness as it's time for those (front) at your mileage. Pads are probably thin all the way around. The transmission fluid should be changed but not power flushed. Simple procedure that should be done annually.
Have the engine's compression tested. Load test the battery. 'Tis the season. Check all the engine mounts. The top bushing near the turbo pipe as it crosses the engine is likely broken. Easy fix. Get ready to replace the T-belt. 70k or seven years. The turbo's oil return line O-ring and gasket need to be replaced about every 20,000 miles as they'll leak. Again, cheap easy fix.
Being a '96 you'll need a scan tool to access any codes. The R airdams are low and get pretty beat up on curbs etc. Check to see that the radiator's shrouds are in place. They're under the radiator/condensor/intercooler. Mine were missing as the previous owner likely ripped them off on a curb or parkiing barrier. Mine's not an R but the standard 850 turbo is relatively low also.
Your indie Volvo mechanic should be able to fully evaluate and give a "buy / no-buy" recommendation. BTW, the price could be lower. If it's mechanically clean, I'd see offering around $12k.
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Erwin in Memphis, '95 855t
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