Volvo XC60 MOT pass rate and common problems
85.1% of 168,106 Volvo XC60 MOT tests pass.
The XC60 has a pass rate of 85.1%, a little higher than the average across all Volvo models (80.1%).
The Volvo XC60 passes its MOT 85.1% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Volvo XC60?
This is the average across every Volvo XC60 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 94.3% at 0–3 years to 76.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 94.3% | 8,037 | 29,968 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.8% | 42,332 | 45,354 miles |
| 6–10 years | 84.2% | 78,573 | 77,350 miles |
| 10–15 years | 78.0% | 36,965 | 115,675 miles |
| 15+ years | 76.1% | 2,199 | 132,413 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volvo XC60
The most common reason the Volvo XC60 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 30.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 30.8% | Not working |
| Tyres | 30.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 24.8% | Fractured or broken |
| Brakes | 21.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 10.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 7.9% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.7% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Volvo XC60: what to check
These checks follow the Volvo XC60’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 XC60 comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 91.8% to 84.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 90.0% down to 84.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 30.8% of failed Volvo XC60 MOTs. 13.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.7% 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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 30.3% of failed Volvo XC60 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.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 24.8% of failed Volvo XC60 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 10.8% of tests at 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.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 21.6% of failed Volvo XC60 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 7.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 10.6% of failed Volvo XC60 MOTs. 3.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.5% at 0–3 years.
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 V40 — 77.8% pass rate
- Volvo XC40 — 92.6% pass rate
- Volvo XC90 — 80.2% pass rate
- Volvo V70 — 70.6% pass rate
- Volvo V60 — 82.6% pass rate
- Volvo V50 — 62.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo XC60?
- 85.1% of Volvo XC60 MOT tests pass, based on 168,106 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo XC60?
- The most common reason the Volvo XC60 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 30.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Volvo XC60?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volvo XC60 are lights and electrics; tyres; suspension. 13.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.7% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Volvo XC60?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; suspension; brakes; 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 XC60'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.