Verdict
Volvo cars pass their MOT first time on 72.0% of tests, against 69.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 64% of cars on UK roads and ranks Volvo 14th of 40 makes: behind Audi and BMW, and well ahead of Ford and Vauxhall.
The XC40 (2018 on) beats 90% of cars and the XC60, the most tested Volvo, 82%. The S90 (94%), XC70 (82%) and V90 (79%) also do well.
Check the V40 most carefully, beating 41% of cars, then the V50 and C30 (46% each) and the S40 (49%), all a little below a typical car of the same age and mileage.
Volvos fail about 35% to 40% less often than a typical car on emissions and leaks, seat belts and airbags and visibility, and about 20% less often on suspension and lights and electrics. Tyres and steering fail about as often as typical.
Where it fails
Every Volvo compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Volvo models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| XC60 2008–2023 | 80.5% | Beats 82% | A |
| V40 1998–2019 | 74.0% | Beats 41% | C |
| XC90 2003–2023 | 71.1% | Beats 67% | B |
| V70 1997–2016 | 62.1% | Beats 68% | B |
| XC40 2018–2023 | 90.0% | Beats 90% | A |
| V50 2004–2012 | 56.3% | Beats 46% | C |
| V60 2010–2022 | 78.1% | Beats 75% | B |
| C30 2007–2013 | 60.7% | Beats 46% | C |
| S40 1998–2012 | 57.0% | Beats 49% | C |
| S60 2001–2021 | 69.1% | Beats 72% | B |
| XC70 2003–2016 | 70.3% | Beats 82% | A |
| V90 2016–2022 | 85.2% | Beats 79% | B |
| C70 2001–2013 | 59.2% | Beats 52% | C |
| S80 1999–2016 | 67.2% | Beats 83% | A |
| S90 2016–2020 | 87.6% | Beats 94% | A |
FAQ
What is the Volvo MOT pass rate?
72.0% of Volvo MOT tests were passed first time, from 4.5 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 69.1%, so Volvos do better than typical.
Is Volvo reliable?
On MOT results it is above average: Volvo beats 64% of cars on UK roads and ranks 14th of 40 makes. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Volvo model is most reliable?
Of the common models, the XC40 beats about nine in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and the XC60 about eight in ten.
Which Volvo should I check most carefully?
The V40, V50, C30 and S40, which each beat between four and five in ten cars, slightly below a typical car of their age and mileage.
What are the most common MOT failures on Volvos?
Lights and electrics (about 1 in 9 tests), suspension, brakes and tyres. Tyres fail about as often as on a typical car of the same age and mileage; the others less often.