Volvo XC60: what fails at MOT
170,000 MOT tests on the Volvo XC60 in 2024, counted. 18% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
18% of Volvo XC60 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 21.6%, so the XC60 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (3.6% of tests), tyres (3.5% of tests) and suspension (3.2% 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 | 15,084 | 8.1% | 10.9% | 28,800 21,500 to 38,800 |
| 2020 | 12,298 | 8.3% | 11.5% | 34,500 25,900 to 45,900 |
| 2019 | 15,494 | 10.1% | 13.4% | 43,000 33,100 to 55,800 |
| 2018 | 15,402 | 10.8% | 15.6% | 53,900 42,100 to 67,500 |
| 2017 | 22,288 | 16.5% | 18.2% | 63,500 49,900 to 79,800 |
| 2016 | 22,361 | 20.3% | 21.3% | 73,000 57,300 to 91,900 |
| 2015 | 19,411 | 22.3% | 24.4% | 84,400 67,300 to 105,500 |
| 2014 | 13,965 | 24.1% | 27.7% | 95,900 76,800 to 116,900 |
| 2013 | 8,000 | 23.6% | 30.6% | 100,900 80,500 to 124,300 |
| 2012 | 7,346 | 26.9% | 33.4% | 112,100 91,100 to 136,400 |
| 2011 | 6,652 | 29.3% | 36.1% | 121,300 99,300 to 145,100 |
| 2010 | 6,373 | 28.9% | 38.6% | 128,700 104,000 to 153,200 |
| 2009 | 4,605 | 27.9% | 39.8% | 130,100 107,700 to 154,800 |
| 2008 | 385 | 39.7% | 41.5% | 132,800 111,200 to 153,000 |
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 XC60 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | XC60 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 3.6% | 5.1% |
| Tyres | 3.5% | 4.0% |
| Suspension | 3.2% | 4.0% |
| Brakes | 2.5% | 3.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.4% | 2.5% |
| Steering | 1.1% | 0.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.8% | 1.4% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.6% | 1.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring2.3%
- Tyre2.3%
- Brake pads1.7%
- Tyre tread1.3%
- Headlamp aim1.1%
- Track rod end0.9%
- Wipers0.8%
- Engine warning light0.7%
- Side indicators0.7%
- Washers0.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.7%
- Side indicators: not working0.6%
- Brake light: not working0.5%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.5%
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 edge11.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.7%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.0%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.0%
- Nail in tyre1.3%
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?”
- “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?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Volvo XC60's own MOT record
Looking at a XC60? Type its registration to 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.