Volvo P120 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo P120 car check
Is the Volvo P120 reliable? We analysed 6,469 real MOT tests across 699 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo P120? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo P120 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo P120.
Volvo P120 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo P120. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo P120 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo P120 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo P120 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volvo P120 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volvo P120 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo P120 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo P120 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo P120 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 194 | 71.1% | 24,732 | 43,715 | 57,302 |
| 1969 | 140 | 80.0% | 31,796 | 53,625 | 75,260 |
| 1968 | 762 | 77.3% | 24,137 | 44,537 | 66,098 |
| 1967 | 1,108 | 76.7% | 27,901 | 52,228 | 76,052 |
| 1966 | 1,608 | 73.2% | 24,931 | 50,726 | 77,890 |
| 1965 | 1,001 | 72.4% | 31,491 | 53,180 | 74,268 |
| 1964 | 524 | 74.0% | 27,640 | 57,412 | 74,521 |
| 1963 | 259 | 81.9% | 16,630 | 44,882 | 73,960 |
| 1962 | 190 | 71.1% | 22,030 | 47,056 | 71,847 |
| 1961 | 120 | 85.8% | 27,193 | 51,004 | 59,482 |
How Long Does a Volvo P120 Last?
Based on 699 Volvo P120 vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo P120 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo P120 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volvo P120
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.8% MOT pass rate from 120 tests
71.1% MOT pass rate from 190 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo P120 is 1961, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.8% across 120 tests. The 1962 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo P120 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo P120 THIS CAR | 74.9% | 6,469 | 49,435 mi | 65 yrs |
| Volvo V70 | 71% | 1,930,508 | 113,181 mi | 29 yrs |
| Volvo V40 | 73.7% | 1,865,374 | 76,415 mi | 30 yrs |
| Volvo S40 | 69.9% | 1,390,271 | 84,701 mi | 30 yrs |
| Lancia Thema | 69.6% | 2,292 | 114,309 mi | 40 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V70 (71.0% pass rate) and the Volvo V40 (73.7% pass rate), the Volvo P120 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo P120 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volvo P120Should you buy a used Volvo P120?
The Volvo P120 has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.9% across 6,469 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volvo P120 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (237 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (210), and stop lamp not working (207). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Volvo P120 owner drives around 640 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volvo P120 models stay on UK roads for around 65 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.