Volvo S60 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

12,822 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2005–2020 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

No Volvo S60 year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2011–2015 and 2019. The other 4 years can't be told apart from average.

Below the average for their first-use yearNone
Above the average for their first-use year2011–2015 and 2019
Can't be told apart from average2005, 2016–2017 and 2020

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

74.2%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 73.4% to 74.9%.

Volvo S60, all years74.2%
Same-age average, all vehicles70.3%

In 2025, 74.2% of the 12,822 initial MOT tests on Volvo S60 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 70.3%. That is 3.8 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific S60

Its own MOT history, free.

Volvo S60 MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

Year	Testsmedian miles	Passed first time	Against all vehicles that year
2020age 5	1,11437,600	87.7%±2.1	+1.7 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 6	1,17243,500	85.9%±2.2	+2.4 ptsall: 83.5%
2017age 8	1,08073,900	75.9%±2.7	−2.3 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 9	1,16588,500	74.9%±2.6	0.0 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 10	1,21097,800	76.2%±2.5	+4.3 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 11	1,332108,900	75.2%±2.4	+6.6 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 12	1,362112,800	73.5%±2.5	+7.7 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 13	1,649115,600	67.8%±2.3	+4.3 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 14	1,701118,500	68.5%±2.3	+7.3 ptsall: 61.2%
2005age 20	1,037131,000	60.2%±3.1	+2.6 ptsall: 57.6%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Volvo S60 first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

85.1% of Volvo S60 tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 67.4% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 80.8% and 60.6%.

Miles at the test	Tests	Passed first time	Against all vehicles, same age and mileage
30,000–59,999	2,430	85.1%±1.5	+4.3 ptsall: 80.8%
60,000–89,999	2,660	75.5%±1.7	+5.9 ptsall: 69.6%
90,000–119,999	2,858	69.3%±1.8	+6.1 ptsall: 63.1%
120,000 or more	4,081	67.4%±1.5	+6.8 ptsall: 60.6%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, S60 tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Volvo S60 tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000. 18 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common S60 problems at the MOT

Share of the 3,313 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

Tyres28.1%

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

Most common MOT failures on the Volvo S60

The defects recorded most often at the 3,313 failed initial tests on Volvo S60 cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

Defect	Share of failed tests	All vehicles, same age
Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes	11.6%385 tests	6.5%
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres	9.4%310 tests	8.0%
Tyre has ply or cords exposedTyres	8.2%273 tests	4.7%
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leakSuspension	7.2%240 tests	3.2%
Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirtBody, chassis, structure	6.9%227 tests	5.0%
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks	6.8%224 tests	5.5%
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres	6.1%201 tests	4.6%
Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrectLights and electrics	5.6%187 tests	4.4%
Headlamp aim too lowLights and electrics	5.0%164 tests	4.0%
Track rod end ball joint has excessive playSteering	4.9%162 tests	4.3%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the S60's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a S60

Based on the areas where Volvo S60 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

Tyres
In 28.1% of failed S60 tests
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a S60's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Volvo S60 cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Volvo S60 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.6% failed on tyres, against 5.9% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,329 and 7,432 cars.

With a tyre advisory8.6%
Similar cars, nothing noted5.9%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 13.6% of those with a tyre advisory and 13.6% of the others.

Brakes

Of Volvo S60 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 11.7% failed on brakes, against 6.2% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,751 and 7,902 cars.

With a brake advisory11.7%
Similar cars, nothing noted6.2%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 16.0% of those with a brake advisory and 13.1% of the others.

Suspension

Of Volvo S60 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 11.8% failed on suspension, against 7.1% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,413 and 7,877 cars.

With a suspension advisory11.8%
Similar cars, nothing noted7.1%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 18.0% of those with a suspension advisory and 12.8% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this out All models compared, with the data

Volvo S60 questions

Which Volvo S60 years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2011–2015 and 2019. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Volvo S60 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 74.2% of initial MOT tests on Volvo S60 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 70.3%. That is 3.8 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Volvo S60 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are tyres (in 28.1% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Volvo S60?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Volvo S60 cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 97,800 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific S60's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Volvo S60

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checks What MOT history doesn't show

Other Volvo models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 13 Volvo models Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Volvo S60 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count