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Volvo V60 reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 271,862 MOT tests of cars first registered 2010–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
78.1%pass first time
+4.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 75%of cars
271,862MOT tests

Verdict

The Volvo V60 passes its MOT first time on 78.1% of tests, 4.4 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (73.7%). That puts it ahead of 75% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2011 V60 does best (beats 83% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 57%).

Of its engines, the 2.4 Diesel does best (beats 92%) and the 1.6 Diesel worst (beats 65%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, visibility.

Watch these weak spots

Steering1.4×as often as a typical car
Tyre damage & cracking1.5×as often as a typical car
Track rod ends1.4×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%345678910111213141586%84%78%74%71%69%67%
Volvo V60Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2010
Beats 82%
2011
Beats 83%
2012
Beats 73%
2013
Beats 83%
2014
Beats 80%
2015
Beats 77%
2016
Beats 71%
2017
Beats 57%
2018
Beats 70%
2019
Beats 67%
2020
Beats 63%
2021
Beats 72%
2022
Beats 74%

Engines

All years, 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.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2010–2020156,14778.7%Beats 76%B
1.6 Diesel2011–201548,54070.1%Beats 65%B
2.4 Diesel2011–201724,75978.4%Beats 92%A
2.0 Petrol2016–202019,59285.7%Beats 63%B
2.0 Hybrid2020–202213,89187.8%Beats 72%B
2.4 Diesel hybrid2014–20174,56378.4%Beats 69%B
1.6 Petrol2011–20122,66576.6%Beats 90%A
2.0 Diesel hybrid2021–20211,70586.9%Beats 72%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 3.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 5.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 8.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 5.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.8 ptsTyres: 8.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.2 ptsBrakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.8 ptsSuspension: 3.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.8 ptsExhaust: 1.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.7 ptsSuspension: 3.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 8.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 5.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 5.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.8 ptsTyres: 8.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.2 ptsBrakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.8 ptsSuspension: 3.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.8 ptsExhaust: 1.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 8.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres
8.1% vs 6.9%
Lights & electrics
5.1% vs 9.9%
Brakes
4.8% vs 5.7%
Suspension
3.2% vs 6.9%
Visibility
2.9% vs 4.3%
Steering
1.9% vs 1.4%
Emissions & leaks
1.6% vs 2.3%
Body & structure
1.1% vs 2.1%
Seat belts & airbags
0.3% vs 0.7%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking 1.5× typical
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Track rod ends 1.4× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k95%89%84%80%76%72%70%69%
Volvo V60Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking5.4%3.7%1.5×
Brake pads3.3%2.4%1.4×
Tyre tread depth2.7%2.9%0.9×
Headlight aim2.3%2.8%0.8×
Track rod ends1.7%1.2%1.4×
Windscreen wipers1.4%2.0%0.7×
Windscreen washers1.3%1.9%0.6×
Shock absorbers1.3%0.9%1.4×
Headlight bulbs & units0.9%1.8%0.5×
Drive shaft (CV) joints0.8%1.0%0.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm32.4
A tyre seriously damaged28.5
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements26.6
A tyre cords visible or damaged25.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements23.3
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen13.8
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen12.6
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction10.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. 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.

2022 Volvo V601 engine88.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid2,46088.3%Beats 74%B
2021 Volvo V602 engines87.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid8,46587.8%Beats 72%B
2.0 Diesel hybrid1,70586.9%Beats 72%B
2020 Volvo V603 engines86.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,59584.8%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol4,06487.0%Beats 58%C
2.0 Hybrid2,96687.4%Beats 72%B
2019 Volvo V602 engines84.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel17,93984.1%Beats 67%B
2.0 Petrol5,21387.5%Beats 71%B
2018 Volvo V602 engines84.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel16,79884.4%Beats 75%B
2.0 Petrol4,94184.1%Beats 51%C
2017 Volvo V604 engines80.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel15,39478.8%Beats 53%C
2.0 Petrol3,89484.4%Beats 63%B
2.4 Diesel hybrid1,23977.4%Beats 50%C
2.4 Diesel1,22385.9%Beats 87%A
2016 Volvo V604 engines80.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel23,69979.7%Beats 69%B
2.4 Diesel hybrid2,04079.5%Beats 68%B
2.4 Diesel1,97285.4%Beats 93%A
2.0 Petrol1,48085.5%Beats 81%A
2015 Volvo V603 engines79.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel21,36579.7%Beats 80%A
1.6 Diesel3,61074.7%Beats 45%C
2.4 Diesel1,72683.0%Beats 90%A
2014 Volvo V604 engines76.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel19,46777.3%Beats 83%A
1.6 Diesel7,67774.3%Beats 63%B
2.4 Diesel3,04980.7%Beats 93%A
2.4 Diesel hybrid1,28477.6%Beats 84%A
2013 Volvo V603 engines74.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel13,21574.7%Beats 84%A
1.6 Diesel10,88072.3%Beats 72%B
2.4 Diesel5,88679.6%Beats 96%A
2012 Volvo V604 engines69.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel20,55367.3%Beats 63%B
2.0 Diesel12,08171.3%Beats 79%B
2.4 Diesel6,33974.4%Beats 89%A
1.6 Petrol1,43576.3%Beats 83%A
2011 Volvo V604 engines70.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel10,57470.7%Beats 83%A
1.6 Diesel5,82067.6%Beats 73%B
2.4 Diesel4,56473.8%Beats 91%A
1.6 Petrol1,23077.0%Beats 94%A
2010 Volvo V601 engine68.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,02068.8%Beats 82%A

FAQ

What is the Volvo V60 MOT pass rate?

78.1% of MOT tests on the Volvo V60 were passed first time, based on 271,862 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2010–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 73.7% of the time.

Is the Volvo V60 reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 75% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volvo V60 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2011 V60 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 83% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 57%.

Which Volvo V60 engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.4 Diesel does best: it beats 92% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Diesel does worst: it beats 65%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volvo V60?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, brake pads, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, tyre damage & cracking comes up 1.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.