Volvo V60 MOT pass rate and common problems
82.6% of 57,059 Volvo V60 MOT tests pass.
The V60 has a pass rate of 82.6%, a little higher than the average across all Volvo models (80.1%).
The Volvo V60 has a pass rate of 82.6%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volvo V60?
This is the average across every Volvo V60 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volvo’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 91.3% at 0–3 years to 75.7% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 91.3% | 2,877 | 30,082 miles |
| 3–6 years | 88.7% | 16,645 | 49,960 miles |
| 6–10 years | 82.7% | 19,157 | 86,278 miles |
| 10–15 years | 75.7% | 18,373 | 116,037 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (7) | 7 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volvo V60
The most common reason the Volvo V60 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 41.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 41.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 25.8% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 23.9% | Too low |
| Suspension | 17.3% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Visibility | 12.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 7.8% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.0% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 1.4% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.3% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Volvo V60: what to check
These checks follow the Volvo V60’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Volvo V60 comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 82.7% to 75.7%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 84.2% down to 77.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 41.0% of failed Volvo V60 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 25.8% of failed Volvo V60 MOTs. 7.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 0.7% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 23.9% of failed Volvo V60 MOTs. 8.0% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 3.7% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 17.3% of failed Volvo V60 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 12.5% of failed Volvo V60 MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volvo service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volvo models
- Volvo XC40 — 92.6% pass rate
- Volvo XC90 — 80.2% pass rate
- Volvo V70 — 70.6% pass rate
- Volvo V50 — 62.3% pass rate
- Volvo C30 — 67.4% pass rate
- Volvo S60 — 78.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo V60?
- 82.6% of Volvo V60 MOT tests pass, based on 57,059 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo V60?
- The most common reason the Volvo V60 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 41.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Volvo V60?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volvo V60 are tyres; brakes; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Volvo V60?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; brakes; lights and electrics; suspension; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volvo V60's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volvo service history guide for how to check and keep one.