Volvo XC60 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 104,160 MOT tests on the Volvo XC60 carried out in 2023. 20% failed at the first attempt, which is well below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 8 in 10 XC60s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2008 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2008 models did best (70% passed, +12.6 points against the average for 15-year-old cars), while 2016 models fared worst (79%, +0.6 points). Tested cars had covered 70,818 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was tyres, found on 5.5% of tests (roughly in line with the 6.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "fractured or broken", on 4.0% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 104,160
- First-time pass rate
- 80%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +8.7 points
- Average mileage at test
- 70,818
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular XC60?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
XC60 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 | 237 | 92% | 91% | +1.1 points | 29,423 |
| 2020 | 8,116 | 91% | 88% | +3.1 points | 28,431 |
| 2019 | 11,327 | 89% | 86% | +2.6 points | 36,584 |
| 2018 | 10,829 | 89% | 84% | +4.5 points | 46,032 |
| 2017 | 14,783 | 84% | 82% | +2.1 points | 57,144 |
| 2016 | 14,741 | 79% | 79% | +0.6 points | 68,106 |
| 2015 | 12,660 | 77% | 75% | +1.4 points | 80,055 |
| 2014 | 8,930 | 73% | 72% | +1.6 points | 91,824 |
| 2013 | 5,205 | 73% | 68% | +4.3 points | 97,882 |
| 2012 | 4,950 | 70% | 66% | +4.8 points | 107,961 |
| 2011 | 4,590 | 71% | 63% | +7.6 points | 115,977 |
| 2010 | 4,344 | 69% | 60% | +8.3 points | 123,473 |
| 2009 | 3,116 | 69% | 59% | +9.8 points | 126,512 |
| 2008 | 283 | 70% | 57% | +12.6 points | 128,857 |
Why the Volvo XC60 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | XC60 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.5% | 6.3% |
| Lights and electrics | 5.4% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 5.1% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 4.2% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 2.3% | 4.8% |
| Steering | 1.6% | 1.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.1% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 0.7% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.4% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.2% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1fractured or broken4.0%
- 2less than 1.5 mm thick3.1%
- 3tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
- 4not working2.1%
- 5has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7%
- 6does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
- 7has ply or cords exposed1.1%
- 8inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.9%
- 9too low0.8%
- 10ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.7%
Common XC60 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used XC60, 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 | 15.7% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 12.5% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 7.8% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 5.5% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 3.3% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 3.2% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 3.2% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.5% |
| Nail in tyre | Non-component advisories | 2.0% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 1.7% |
Tips to help your XC60 pass
Based on where XC60s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 5.4% of XC60 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.
Brakes · 4.2% of XC60 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.
Compare with other models
Is the XC60 ULEZ compliant? See the Volvo XC60 ULEZ check, or view all Volvo models.
Other Volvo models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 104,160 first MOT tests of the Volvo XC60 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 104,160 first MOT tests of the Volvo XC60.
What is the Volvo XC60 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 20% of 104,160 first MOT attempts on the Volvo XC60 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Volvo XC60 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were tyres (5.5% of tests), lights and electrics (5.4% of tests), suspension (5.1% of tests).
Which XC60 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2008 cars performed best: 70% passed first time, +12.6 points against the average for 15-year-old cars. The weakest was 2016, at 79% (+0.6 points).
How many miles had a typical Volvo XC60 covered at its MOT?
The average was 70,818 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 29,423 miles and 2008 cars 128,857.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Volvo XC60?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 15.7% of tests, in the tyres area. 5.5% of XC60s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific XC60's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 104,160 XC60s 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 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
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
Check any XC60's MOT history
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