Volvo S60: what fails at MOT
26,000 MOT tests on the Volvo S60 in 2024, counted. 25.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
25.9% of Volvo S60 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.9%, so the S60 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (6.8% of tests), brakes (5.4% of tests) and tyres (4.9% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 581 | 6.0% | 10.9% | 25,500 17,300 to 34,800 |
| 2020 | 1,850 | 11.9% | 11.5% | 28,900 21,200 to 39,800 |
| 2019 | 1,699 | 14.8% | 13.4% | 35,300 25,800 to 46,700 |
| 2018 | 1,187 | 17.6% | 15.6% | 48,800 34,400 to 67,000 |
| 2017 | 1,463 | 19.2% | 18.2% | 63,600 44,500 to 84,200 |
| 2016 | 1,646 | 22.1% | 21.3% | 79,600 57,400 to 106,600 |
| 2015 | 1,716 | 24.7% | 24.4% | 91,800 69,900 to 119,100 |
| 2014 | 1,926 | 24.3% | 27.7% | 105,500 78,000 to 135,900 |
| 2013 | 1,872 | 23.4% | 30.6% | 103,300 77,300 to 132,600 |
| 2012 | 2,205 | 29.8% | 33.4% | 110,200 84,600 to 140,400 |
| 2011 | 2,438 | 27.0% | 36.1% | 111,900 88,100 to 142,600 |
| 2010 | 980 | 26.0% | 38.6% | 116,800 90,600 to 142,800 |
| 2008 | 468 | 38.5% | 41.5% | 120,500 93,300 to 153,600 |
| 2007 | 837 | 43.4% | 41.5% | 126,200 100,200 to 156,200 |
| 2006 | 1,504 | 35.8% | 42.4% | 125,600 97,700 to 155,800 |
| 2005 | 1,919 | 35.8% | 42.2% | 133,400 102,300 to 166,000 |
| 2004 | 1,605 | 42.4% | 42.3% | 137,300 105,700 to 177,300 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volvo S60 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | S60 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 6.8% | 8.3% | |
| Brakes | 5.4% | 5.0% | |
| Tyres | 4.9% | 4.3% | |
| Suspension | 3.8% | 6.7% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.1% | 3.2% | Less than most |
| Steering | 1.7% | 1.5% | |
| Body and structure | 1.6% | 2.7% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.5% | 2.4% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.5%
- Headlamp aim2.8%
- Brake pads1.9%
- Tyre tread1.7%
- Headlamp1.6%
- Brake test1.6%
- Side light1.5%
- Track rod end1.3%
- Washers1.1%
- Shock absorbers1.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.5%
- Side light: not working1.4%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.4%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.0%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play0.9%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.5%
- Coil spring: corroded3.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.4%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread2.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Volvo S60's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.