Volvo S60 MOT Failures
An analysis of 96,223 real DVSA MOT tests on the Volvo S60 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Mk1 (2000–2009), Mk2 (2010–2018).
Where the Volvo S60 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Volvo S60 is light unit fault — this model is 35 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 96,223 MOT tests, 10.34% of all Volvo S60 tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (43x the fleet average), brake hoses perished or damaged (17x the fleet average), track rod ends worn (22x the fleet average), and anti-roll bar links worn (26x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Volvo S60's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Lights & Electrics, Bodywork, Brakes, Steering, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Volvo S60 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Volvo S60's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Volvo S60 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (127x the average) and parking brake inoperative on one side (78x). fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (43x) and light unit fault (35x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Volvo S60 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (30x the average) and track rod ends worn (21x). emissions failure (21x) and headlight fault (15x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Volvo S60 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension component damaged or corroded (35x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (26x). tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (18x) and fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (16x) also appear frequently.
The shift from parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... at lower mileages to suspension component damaged or corroded at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Volvo S60 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Timing belt service (Mk1) Dangerous
All Mk1 S60 engines are interference designs where timing belt failure destroys pistons and valves. Affects Mk1; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£600.
Suspension component corrosion (Mk1) Dangerous
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. Affects Mk1; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
PCV system failure (Mk1) Major
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. Affects Mk1; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
ETM throttle module failure (Mk1) Major
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. Affects Mk1; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Volvo S60 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Volvo S60
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Volvo S60:
Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, headlight fault. Bodywork — check for fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective .... Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged, parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r.... Steering — check for track rod ends worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about timing belt service and suspension component corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Volvo S60?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Volvo S60 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volvo S60?
Based on 96,223 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is light unit fault — at 35x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... and brake hoses perished or damaged.
Is the Volvo S60 reliable based on MOT data?
The Volvo S60 has 20 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag timing belt service as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Volvo S60 most commonly fails on suspension component damaged or corroded and anti-roll bar links worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... and parking brake inoperative on one side.
How do I check a Volvo S60's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.