Scandinavian safety wrapped in understated elegance
Volvo's compact executive saloon competes with the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, and Audi A4 but differentiates itself through Scandinavian design, class-leading safety technology, and a comfort-first philosophy. It attracts buyers who want a premium saloon without the overt sportiness of German rivals. The S60 consistently earns top crash safety ratings and appeals to families and professionals who prioritise refinement and safety over outright driving excitement.
We track 11 known issues across the Volvo S60 range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Volvo S60? Enter the reg to see which of our 11 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Mk1 (2000–2009) — Petrol options included the 2.0T, 2.3T, 2.4T, 2.4T AWD, T5, with 2.0D, 2.4D, 2.4D, 2.4D on the diesel side. Our database flags 10 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Timing belt service (£400–£600 to address).
Mk2 (2010–2018) — Petrol options included the 1.6T, 1.6, 2.0T, with 1.6D, 2.0D on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Swirl flap failure (£300–£600 to address).
All Mk1 S60 engines are interference designs where timing belt failure destroys pistons and valves. The belt must be replaced at 80,000 miles or 8 years regardless of condition. This is the single most critical maintenance item on these cars. Belt failure typically occurs without warning and results in engine rebuild costs that exceed the vehicle's value. Water pump and tensioner should be replaced simultaneously as they share the same labour access.
If the belt snaps while driving, the pistons hit the open valves and destroy both. A specialist engine rebuild costs £3,000-£6,000 depending on the extent of damage. Most owners elect to scrap the car rather than repair it. The car must not be driven if the belt is overdue for replacement.
Listen carefully for a rattle or ticking noise from the engine on cold start — this is the most common early sign. Ask for evidence of chain replacement in the service history. On higher-mileage cars without documented replacement, budget for preventative work.
MOT data shows Mk1 S60 suspension components corrode at 34.6 times the national fleet average, particularly on 2.5-litre variants above 150,000 miles. The subframe, control arms, and anti-roll bar mounting points are prone to structural corrosion that can cause sudden failure. This is a progressive issue that worsens with age and affects structural safety. The problem appears most severe on cars that have seen winter salt exposure over many years.
Structural suspension component failure can cause sudden loss of vehicle control with potentially fatal consequences. Corroded subframes require replacement at £1,500-£2,500 plus wheel alignment. Control arm replacement costs £300-£600 per side. The car should not be driven if structural corrosion is suspected.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The positive crankcase ventilation system on Mk1 five-cylinder engines uses a complex network of hoses and valves that commonly fail between 60,000-150,000 miles. Failed PCV components cause vacuum leaks leading to rough idle, oil consumption, and oil leaks from seals pressurised by crankcase pressure. The system includes multiple one-way valves, a flame trap, and vacuum hoses that become brittle and split with age and heat cycling.
Failed PCV systems cause progressive oil consumption, seal failure, and engine management problems. Complete system replacement costs £300-£700. Delayed repair leads to more expensive oil seal replacements and potential turbocharger damage from oil starvation.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
The Electronic Throttle Module (ETM) on Mk1 petrol engines commonly fails between 60,000-150,000 miles due to carbon build-up and worn throttle position sensors. Symptoms include poor throttle response, sudden loss of power, and limp mode activation. The ETM is an integrated unit containing the throttle body, position sensors, and stepper motor. Cleaning can provide temporary relief but replacement is typically required.
Failed ETM causes unpredictable power delivery and can trigger limp mode during driving, creating dangerous situations. Module replacement costs £300-£600 including programming. The car remains driveable but with severely limited performance until repaired.
Check all electrical functions systematically: windows, mirrors, lights, infotainment, heated seats, air conditioning. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. A diagnostic scan before purchase can reveal stored fault codes.
Diesel S60s use intake swirl flaps to improve combustion at low engine speeds. The flap actuator mechanism fails commonly between 60,000-180,000 miles, causing reduced power and increased fuel consumption. The flaps can also break and fall into the cylinders, causing catastrophic engine damage. Many specialists recommend removing the flaps entirely and blanking off the actuator to prevent this failure mode occurring.
Failed swirl flaps reduce engine power and increase fuel consumption. If flaps break and enter the cylinders, complete engine rebuild is required at £4,000-£8,000. Flap removal and blanking costs £300-£800 and eliminates the failure mode entirely.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 11 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Volvo S60 common problems page.
Based on 112k real DVSA MOT tests, the Volvo S60 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... at 127x the fleet average, followed by parking brake inoperative on one side (78x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Volvo S60 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£400–£600).
See the full Volvo S60 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Volvo S60 has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2019-2022 second-generation (SPA platform) models are the sweet spot, with modern tech, refined drivetrains, and strong reliability. The 2009 and 2016 first-gen models also had notably few complaints. Avoid 2001-2005 and 2012-2013 for engine and transmission issues.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Volvo S60, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 11 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 11 known Volvo S60 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.