I've had intermittent knocks and creaks from the driver's side front suspension. I left this until the car had its 4th year service today. It's done 30,400 miles. Volvo dealership noted the bad creaking sound, did a thorough check of the suspension, but couldn't find any faults.

They said that when it was up on the ramp, all load would have been removed from the suspension. After taking it off the ramp and driving the car, they said it was as quiet as a mouse. They said that it may be that taking the pressure of the suspension allowed the springs etc to sort themselves out. They also said that if the noise came back again, they would need to strip the suspension down and that it would either be two new front suspensions at a combined cost of around £650 and/or the springs as well at another £300 - £350.

They said the car was safe to drive and after servicing it, it passed it's MOT. After 5 minutes driving the creaks and groans returned. When I got home, my husband rocked the car from its roofrack, and the was a clear and obvious squeak only from the front drivers side as the car moved up and down. I'm pleased that Volvo didn't insist on the £1,000 works, but concerned as to what to do?

I guess I need to get this fixed if I ever want to sell it on and in the short-term concerned if there is any safety risk.

We paid £35k for this car 4 years ago following a serious accident in a VW Passat and being told this was the safest car on the road.