Volvo V60: what fails at MOT
54,000 MOT tests on the Volvo V60 in 2024, counted. 20.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
20.1% of Volvo V60 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 22%, so the V60 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on tyres (5.5% of tests), brakes (3.3% of tests) and lights and electrics (3.2% of tests). It fails on tyres more often than most cars its age.
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 | 5,193 | 10.5% | 10.9% | 28,900 21,400 to 40,800 |
| 2020 | 4,401 | 12.3% | 11.5% | 34,500 24,600 to 48,200 |
| 2019 | 6,821 | 13.5% | 13.4% | 46,100 34,100 to 62,500 |
| 2018 | 4,860 | 14.5% | 15.6% | 54,900 40,700 to 71,700 |
| 2017 | 3,837 | 20.6% | 18.2% | 69,400 49,000 to 91,900 |
| 2016 | 4,360 | 19.2% | 21.3% | 79,200 58,800 to 103,800 |
| 2015 | 3,956 | 20.7% | 24.4% | 88,600 68,200 to 116,300 |
| 2014 | 4,697 | 24.5% | 27.7% | 102,100 79,400 to 129,500 |
| 2013 | 5,022 | 25.2% | 30.6% | 109,600 84,700 to 137,100 |
| 2012 | 6,452 | 30.8% | 33.4% | 115,600 91,700 to 142,000 |
| 2011 | 3,577 | 30.0% | 36.1% | 120,100 94,400 to 149,500 |
| 2010 | 335 | 34.9% | 38.6% | 118,200 98,100 to 145,800 |
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 V60 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | V60 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.5% | 4.0% | More than most |
| Brakes | 3.3% | 3.3% | |
| Lights and electrics | 3.2% | 5.3% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 2.4% | 4.2% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.9% | 2.5% | |
| Steering | 1.3% | 0.9% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.2% | 1.4% | |
| Body and structure | 0.9% | 1.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre4.0%
- Brake pads2.2%
- Tyre tread1.7%
- Headlamp aim1.6%
- Shock absorbers1.1%
- Track rod end1.1%
- Wipers0.9%
- Washers0.9%
- Engine warning light0.8%
- Driveshaft joint0.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.9%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.8%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play0.7%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.7%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.6%
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 edge14.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.8%
- Coil spring: corroded2.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.8%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.8%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.8%
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
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Volvo V60'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.