Volvo S60 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo S60 car check
Is the Volvo S60 reliable? We analysed 758,165 real MOT tests across 54,544 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo S60? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo S60 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo S60.
Volvo S60 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo S60. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo S60 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo S60 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo S60 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volvo S60 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volvo S60 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo S60 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo S60 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo S60 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2,853 | 89.7% | 21,881 | 32,200 | 45,778 |
| 2018 | 5,865 | 85.8% | 26,839 | 41,862 | 63,162 |
| 2017 | 8,526 | 85.1% | 32,804 | 52,379 | 78,975 |
| 2016 | 10,706 | 83.6% | 41,240 | 63,363 | 91,111 |
| 2015 | 13,430 | 83.5% | 45,712 | 70,851 | 101,424 |
| 2014 | 17,739 | 82.5% | 51,225 | 78,765 | 109,968 |
| 2013 | 20,157 | 81.5% | 51,112 | 78,782 | 111,062 |
| 2012 | 28,379 | 79.7% | 51,448 | 79,609 | 112,803 |
| 2011 | 33,827 | 80.6% | 53,536 | 81,774 | 114,288 |
| 2010 | 12,538 | 82.2% | 50,409 | 79,777 | 112,815 |
| 2009 | 1,317 | 75.9% | 56,090 | 88,127 | 123,482 |
| 2008 | 10,867 | 74.4% | 58,036 | 89,039 | 123,698 |
| 2007 | 23,791 | 73.7% | 60,770 | 92,912 | 127,684 |
| 2006 | 47,619 | 74.3% | 58,260 | 89,840 | 124,744 |
| 2005 | 77,415 | 73.7% | 62,459 | 94,829 | 130,981 |
| 2004 | 95,772 | 71.1% | 64,935 | 97,659 | 134,473 |
| 2003 | 122,860 | 70.1% | 64,308 | 96,307 | 131,499 |
| 2002 | 132,274 | 69.5% | 69,286 | 99,133 | 132,215 |
| 2001 | 83,854 | 68.5% | 71,418 | 97,504 | 125,439 |
| 2000 | 7,200 | 68.2% | 70,731 | 93,592 | 120,282 |
How Long Does a Volvo S60 Last?
Based on 54,544 Volvo S60 vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo S60 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo S60 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 S60
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.7% MOT pass rate from 2,853 tests
68.2% MOT pass rate from 7,200 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo S60 is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.7% across 2,853 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo S60 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S60 THIS CAR | 73.2% | 758,165 | 91,811 mi | 26 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 |
| Nissan Sunny | 62.5% | 362,425 | 86,554 mi | 40 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V70 (71.0% pass rate) and the Volvo V40 (73.7% pass rate), the Volvo S60 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo S60 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 S60Should you buy a used Volvo S60?
The Volvo S60 has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.2% across 758,165 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volvo S60 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (28,009 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (25,933), and registration plate lamp not working (17,709). 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 S60 owner drives around 7,442 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 S60 models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.