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Volvo XC60 reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 790,108 MOT tests of cars first registered 2008–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
Volvo XC60
80.5%pass first time
+5.6 ptsvs typical car
Beats 82%of cars
790,108MOT tests

Verdict

The Volvo XC60 passes its MOT first time on 80.5% of tests, 5.6 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (75.0%). That puts it ahead of 82% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2018 XC60 does best (beats 95% of cars) and the 2016 worst (beats 67%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Hybrid does best (beats 93%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 78%).

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

Watch these weak spots

Coil springs1.8×as often as a typical car
Indicator side repeaters2.0×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%3456789101112131415161788%86%81%75%72%70%68%65%
Volvo XC60Typical 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.

2008
Beats 93%
2009
Beats 92%
2010
Beats 87%
2011
Beats 83%
2012
Beats 79%
2013
Beats 84%
2014
Beats 80%
2015
Beats 77%
2016
Beats 67%
2017
Beats 77%
2018
Beats 95%
2019
Beats 92%
2020
Beats 94%
2021
Beats 92%
2022
Beats 91%
2023
Beats 97%

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
2.4 Diesel2008–2017350,19277.1%Beats 83%A
2.0 Diesel2010–2020310,18480.7%Beats 78%B
2.0 Hybrid2017–202356,44690.1%Beats 93%A
2.0 Petrol2017–202055,44688.5%Beats 88%A
2.0 Diesel hybrid2020–202217,84090.6%Beats 95%A

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: 1.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% 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: 4.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.4% 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: 5.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.9% 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: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% 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: 3.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.3% 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: 5.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.9% 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+3.3 ptsTyres: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% 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+1.4 ptsBrakes: 3.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.3% 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+1.4 ptsSuspension: 4.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.4% 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+1.8 ptsExhaust: 1.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% 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+1.2 ptsSuspension: 4.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.4% 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: 3.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.3% 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: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% 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: 5.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.9% 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: 1.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% 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: 5.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.9% 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+3.3 ptsTyres: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% 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+1.4 ptsBrakes: 3.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.3% 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+1.4 ptsSuspension: 4.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.4% 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+1.8 ptsExhaust: 1.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% 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+1.2 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 1.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Lights & electrics
5.7% vs 8.9%
Tyres
5.3% vs 6.8%
Suspension
4.6% vs 6.4%
Brakes
3.9% vs 5.3%
Visibility
2.3% vs 4.2%
Steering
1.5% vs 1.3%
Emissions & leaks
1.0% vs 2.2%
Body & structure
0.7% vs 2.0%
Seat belts & airbags
0.4% vs 0.6%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 1.8× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Indicator side repeaters 2.0× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • 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.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k96%90%86%81%77%73%70%68%
Volvo XC60Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs3.4%1.9%1.8×
Tyre damage & cracking3.1%3.7%0.8×
Brake pads2.9%2.3%1.2×
Tyre tread depth2.1%2.8%0.8×
Headlight aim1.8%2.6%0.7×
Windscreen wipers1.3%2.1%0.7×
Track rod ends1.3%1.1%1.2×
Indicator side repeaters0.9%0.5%2.0×
Brake lights0.8%1.5%0.5×
Windscreen washers0.8%1.9%0.4×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened33.9
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm28.0
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements21.3
A tyre seriously damaged19.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements18.1
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen13.3
A tyre cords visible or damaged10.8
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning9.3
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.

2023 Volvo XC601 engine92.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid3,75792.1%Beats 97%A
2022 Volvo XC602 engines90.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid8,52490.7%Beats 88%A
2.0 Diesel hybrid3,93891.1%Beats 95%A
2021 Volvo XC602 engines90.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid19,04190.0%Beats 89%A
2.0 Diesel hybrid8,57790.5%Beats 95%A
2020 Volvo XC604 engines90.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid14,55590.6%Beats 95%A
2.0 Diesel5,92789.4%Beats 92%A
2.0 Diesel hybrid5,32590.5%Beats 96%A
2.0 Petrol4,44189.9%Beats 89%A
2019 Volvo XC603 engines88.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel25,83888.5%Beats 94%A
2.0 Petrol23,79688.8%Beats 88%A
2.0 Hybrid4,52489.4%Beats 97%A
2018 Volvo XC603 engines88.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel39,75088.2%Beats 95%A
2.0 Petrol18,44188.7%Beats 92%A
2.0 Hybrid4,92389.1%Beats 98%A
2017 Volvo XC604 engines83.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel55,95283.4%Beats 75%B
2.4 Diesel35,40783.9%Beats 78%B
2.0 Petrol8,76886.5%Beats 82%A
2.0 Hybrid1,12282.8%Beats 65%B
2016 Volvo XC602 engines80.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel60,23281.1%Beats 69%B
2.0 Diesel54,34779.9%Beats 66%B
2015 Volvo XC602 engines79.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel57,22079.1%Beats 74%B
2.4 Diesel54,21180.8%Beats 80%B
2014 Volvo XC602 engines77.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel42,51378.5%Beats 84%A
2.0 Diesel35,01775.9%Beats 74%B
2013 Volvo XC602 engines75.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel37,47576.2%Beats 86%A
2.0 Diesel7,52772.7%Beats 73%B
2012 Volvo XC602 engines71.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel33,45671.9%Beats 80%B
2.0 Diesel8,99870.9%Beats 77%B
2011 Volvo XC602 engines70.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel26,92272.0%Beats 87%A
2.0 Diesel12,34967.9%Beats 74%B
2010 Volvo XC602 engines69.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel30,30470.6%Beats 90%A
2.0 Diesel7,25966.2%Beats 75%B
2009 Volvo XC601 engine70.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel27,25170.4%Beats 92%A
2008 Volvo XC601 engine69.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel2,42169.8%Beats 93%A

FAQ

What is the Volvo XC60 MOT pass rate?

80.5% of MOT tests on the Volvo XC60 were passed first time, based on 790,108 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2008–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 75.0% of the time.

Is the Volvo XC60 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 82% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volvo XC60 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2018 XC60 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 95% of cars on UK roads. The 2016 does worst: it beats 67%.

Which Volvo XC60 engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Hybrid does best: it beats 93% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 78%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volvo XC60?

The most common failure items are coil springs, tyre damage & cracking, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 1.8× 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.