Volvo V60 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 37,100 MOT tests on the Volvo V60 carried out in 2023. 22% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 8 in 10 V60s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2010 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2010 models did best (73% passed, +12.9 points against the average for 13-year-old cars), while 2017 models fared worst (81%, −1.1 points). Tested cars had covered 78,114 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was tyres, found on 8.2% of tests (slightly above the 6.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "less than 1.5 mm thick", on 3.5% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 37,100
- First-time pass rate
- 78%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +7.0 points
- Average mileage at test
- 78,114
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular V60?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
V60 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 113 | 92% | 91% | +1.2 points | 30,538 |
| 2020 | 3,093 | 88% | 88% | +0.7 points | 30,364 |
| 2019 | 4,848 | 86% | 86% | −0.0 points | 41,122 |
| 2018 | 3,864 | 85% | 84% | +0.5 points | 49,482 |
| 2017 | 3,190 | 81% | 82% | −1.1 points | 65,595 |
| 2016 | 3,863 | 79% | 79% | +0.1 points | 76,459 |
| 2015 | 3,326 | 78% | 75% | +2.1 points | 87,127 |
| 2014 | 3,698 | 75% | 72% | +3.1 points | 100,025 |
| 2013 | 3,573 | 73% | 68% | +5.1 points | 107,460 |
| 2012 | 4,675 | 69% | 66% | +3.6 points | 112,354 |
| 2011 | 2,605 | 69% | 63% | +6.4 points | 118,538 |
| 2010 | 248 | 73% | 60% | +12.9 points | 112,020 |
Why the Volvo V60 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | V60 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 8.2% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 5.1% | 6.8% |
| Lights and electrics | 4.8% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 3.1% | 8.9% |
| Visibility | 3.0% | 4.8% |
| Steering | 1.7% | 1.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.6% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 0.9% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.3% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1less than 1.5 mm thick3.5%
- 2has ply or cords exposed2.6%
- 3tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
- 4has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.0%
- 5does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
- 6inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.1%
- 7has a serious fluid leak1.0%
- 8ball joint has excessive play0.9%
- 9provides insufficient washer liquid0.9%
- 10not working0.8%
Common V60 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used V60, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 18.7% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 12.0% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 6.9% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 5.0% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 3.6% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.9% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 2.6% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 2.6% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 2.4% |
| has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 2.4% |
Tips to help your V60 pass
Based on where V60s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Brakes · 5.1% of V60 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Lights and electrics · 4.8% of V60 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Compare with other models
Is the V60 ULEZ compliant? See the Volvo V60 ULEZ check, or view all Volvo models.
Other Volvo models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 37,100 first MOT tests of the Volvo V60 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 37,100 first MOT tests of the Volvo V60.
What is the Volvo V60 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 22% of 37,100 first MOT attempts on the Volvo V60 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Volvo V60 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were tyres (8.2% of tests), brakes (5.1% of tests), lights and electrics (4.8% of tests).
Which V60 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2010 cars performed best: 73% passed first time, +12.9 points against the average for 13-year-old cars. The weakest was 2017, at 81% (−1.1 points).
How many miles had a typical Volvo V60 covered at its MOT?
The average was 78,114 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 30,538 miles and 2010 cars 112,020.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Volvo V60?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 18.7% of tests, in the tyres area. 8.2% of V60s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific V60's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 37,100 V60s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 69% to 92% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
Check any V60's MOT history
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