Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Hopefully it comes with a warranty. Anything that doesn't die within that time that subsequently does is part and parcel of owning a second hand car. At least, that's what I tell myself. Get a recovery service or see if one is included in your insurance. Maybe even bring the car to a local mechanic (either a Volvo specialist or just whoever you would be bringing it to for service/MOT/when something goes bang) and see if they'll do a healthcheck/inspection. Even after you've bought it, cos if they find something, they can always go back to the dealer and say "here mate, this bit's fuckoed".

If you're not doing it all the time, it is daunting. I have only done it three times now (licence at 18, first car owned at 36). Each time was less stressful despite the costs increasing.

It's going to die on me isn't it?

Oh yes. Don't even tell us the make/model as you'll get conflicting info, anecdata and confirmation bias. Just enjoy it.

horn sounds odd

Deal breaker.

I've only ever bought privately (so no warranty or right of return etc) and have a tendency to google the f- out of a model which is not advised (no one bothers posting on a forum that their car is fine).

We had a 38 year old camper van which we drove to the alps and back without issue - meanwhile our (new to us) 2014 Yeti broke down on the A1 last week and had to be recovered by the AA. Frustrating as we were off to a wedding and then on holiday (which we had to finish in a hire car). Cue a week of worrying the engine was totally borked, but it was fixed with new spark plugs and coil pack.

Things do go wrong, but they probably won't. Have breakdown cover just in case.

Don't worry about the Sat Nav as it'll be rubbish anyway assuming the car is over 10 years old.

It's normal to be super anxious about the purchasing decision you're about to make right?

It's a total crap shoot but it sounds like you've done your due diligence. Go for it.

Sounds like you've done everything you can. It's such an asymetrical encounter, buying from a dealer - they sell cars every day but you buy one once every five+ years or so.

I've always done an independent inspection on anything I've bought (I found a good guy on whocanfixmycar.com last time), I've always thought that was worth the extra hassle of organising and any dealers have accepted it and agreed not to sell out from under me.

If youre in Shoreham I can 100% recommend these guys:
https://ambergarage.co.uk/

Volvo experts and can vouch for them. They serviced mine a few years ago and were brutally honest with everything they found, didnt try to upsell me or charge me for anything it didnt need.

Normal...who knows what is normal.

With absolutely no basis, and an sample set of one (me), I think you are going through the fear of making a mistake. Which I understand.

It is noted through my car buying past that I will go as see cars that I like check things am wear rose tinted spectacles.

Personally, if the car is a cambelt engine see when it was last changed and service life if the belt. I like to replace the fluids Inc gearbox and brake fluid. That way, in my head, I feel I have looked over the engine area and looked at the brakes and suspension. Makes me feel better.

Then again I have bought cars for a couple of hundred quid and two days later ragged them on the route national in France and have had a few interesting stories but then make sure you have break down cover.

As for when will it die, at a guess it will die when it is too expensive to fix against value if the car.