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Volvo V60 car check

Find out if a Volvo V60 has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

Typical price
£22,230322 at dealers
MOT failure rate
18.2%88k tests
Known problems
5across G1 to G2
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which V60 are you looking at?

Each V60 generation has its own weak spots. Pick the one you’re viewing to see what to check.

  1. Front coil spring fracture

    Safety risk G1

    V60 diesel variants suffer from premature front coil spring fractures, with failure rates 7.1 times higher than the fleet average. The issue affects all diesel engines and typically manifests as complete spring breakage rather than gradual weakening. This is a dangerous defect as spring failure can cause sudden loss of vehicle control and damage to surrounding components including brake lines and suspension arms.

    What to check: Walk around the vehicle and check for uneven ride height - a sagging corner indicates possible spring failure. Look under the vehicle with a torch for any visible spring breaks or separated coils hanging loose. Check for any metallic rattling or clanking noises when opening/closing doors, indicat...

  2. DPF blockage and excessive smoke opacity

    Wear item G1

    The 1.6-litre diesel engine suffers from severe DPF (diesel particulate filter) blockage issues, causing excessive smoke opacity levels that fail MOT tests at rates up to 135 times higher than the fleet average. The DPF system struggles with frequent short journeys and low-speed urban driving, leading to incomplete regeneration cycles. This is compounded by the engine's relatively small displacement struggling to generate sufficient exhaust temperatures for effective DPF cleaning.

    What to check: Check for any DPF warning lights on the dashboard or in the trip computer menu. Ask the seller about driving patterns - predominantly urban/short journey use significantly increases blockage risk. Look for excessive black soot deposits around the exhaust tailpipe. Check service history for eviden...

  3. Premature brake pad wear

    Safety and MOT risk G1

    V60 models show abnormally high rates of brake pad wear below the legal 1.5mm limit, failing MOT tests at 0-litre variants. The issue appears across low-mileage examples and is attributed to aggressive brake pad compound and potential caliper binding issues. This affects both diesel and petrol 2.0-litre engines, with failures occurring even on very low mileage vehicles.

    What to check: Visually inspect brake pad thickness through wheel spokes - look for less than 3mm remaining material. Check for uneven pad wear patterns which indicate caliper problems. Look for excessive brake dust accumulation on wheels. Ask about recent brake-related work or grinding noises.

  4. Power steering fluid leak

    Wear item G1

    V60 diesel models experience power steering system failures at 119.8 times the fleet average rate, typically manifesting as fluid leaks from the pump or high-pressure lines. The issue primarily affects higher mileage vehicles above 60,000 miles and can lead to complete steering assistance loss. The hydraulic power steering system is particularly vulnerable to seal failure in the pump and pressure lines.

    What to check: Check power steering fluid reservoir level and colour - low level or dark, burnt-smelling fluid indicates problems. Look under the vehicle for pink or red fluid stains, particularly around the power steering pump and rack area. Inspect the power steering belt for contamination from leaking fluid....

  5. Excessive engine oil consumption

    Engine damage risk G1

    The 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine suffers from excessive oil consumption, with owners reporting consumption rates of one quart (approximately 1 litre) every few hundred miles without visible external leaks. This appears to be related to piston ring wear or cylinder bore scoring, requiring major internal engine work to resolve. The issue typically develops after 40,000 miles and progressively worsens.

    What to check: Check the oil level on the dipstick and ask when it was last topped up - consumption above 1 litre per 1000 miles is excessive. Look for blue smoke staining around the exhaust tailpipe. Ask about oil consumption history and frequency of top-ups required. Check for any external oil leaks around th...

What V60s cost at dealers now

From 322 used V60s we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£22,230
Typical mileage
44,416 miles
Price change vs last month
-7.1%

V60 MOT results

18.2%

of V60 MOT tests end in a fail, from 87,602 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. ABS faultSuspension
  2. Emissions failureExhaust & Emissions
  3. Track rod ends wornSteering

Check the V60 you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

V60 questions

Is the Volvo V60 reliable?

18.2% of V60 models fail their MOT based on 87,602 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being front coil spring fracture. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Volvo V60?

The most serious known issues are front coil spring fracture, dpf blockage and excessive smoke opacity, premature brake pad wear. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific V60 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Volvo V60 has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Volvo V60 has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N V60 has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Volvo V60 for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Volvo V60 HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known V60 faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Volvo V60 fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the V60 is abs fault. 18.2% of V60 models fail overall, based on 87,602 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the V60

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Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.