Volvo V60 MOT Failures
An analysis of 141,833 real DVSA MOT tests on the Volvo V60 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: G1 (2010–2018), G2 (2018–2024).
Where the Volvo V60 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Volvo V60 is track rod ends worn — this model is 17 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 141,833 MOT tests, 8.72% of all Volvo V60 tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (136x the fleet average), abs fault (54x the fleet average), power steering fault (20x the fleet average), and tyre wear or damage (15x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Volvo V60'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: Steering, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes, Tyres, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Volvo V60 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 V60'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 V60 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (136x the average) and power steering fault (20x). track rod ends worn (17x) and headlight fault (11x) 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 V60 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (54x the average) and emissions failure (38x). track rod ends worn (15x) and parking brake inefficient (12x) 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 V60 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (18x the average) and headlight fault (12x). emissions failure (9.9x) and track rod ends worn (8.0x) also appear frequently.
The shift from emissions failure at lower mileages to abs fault 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 V60 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Front coil spring fracture Dangerous
V60 diesel variants suffer from premature front coil spring fractures, with failure rates 7.1 times higher than the fleet average. Affects G1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
DPF blockage and excessive smoke opacity (1.6D) Major
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. Affects G1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£2,500.
Premature brake pad wear Major
V60 models show abnormally high rates of brake pad wear below the legal 1.5mm limit, failing MOT tests at 0-litre variants. Affects G1; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
Power steering fluid leak Major
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. Affects G1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£800.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Volvo V60 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Volvo V60
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Volvo V60:
Steering — check for track rod ends worn, power steering fault. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Brakes — check for abs fault, brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ..., parking brake inefficient.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about front coil spring fracture and dpf blockage and excessive smoke opacity. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. 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 V60?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Volvo V60 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volvo V60?
Based on 141,833 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is track rod ends worn — at 17x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and abs fault.
Is the Volvo V60 reliable based on MOT data?
The Volvo V60 has 13 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag front coil spring fracture 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 V60 most commonly fails on abs fault and headlight fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are emissions failure and power steering fault.
How do I check a Volvo V60'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.