VOLVO S60 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,161 MOT tests from 154 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every VOLVO S60 has the same fault.

VOLVO S60's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 547/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLVO S60 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLVO S60.

VOLVO S60 (example)

Check the reliability of your Volvo S60

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2018	713/999Very good	76,510 miles	643 vehicles
Diesel	2015	683/999Good	79,130 miles	913 vehicles
Diesel	2014	637/999Good	82,204 miles	1,348 vehicles
Diesel	2012	587/999Above average	80,655 miles	2,046 vehicles
Diesel	2009	574/999Above average	76,061 miles	1,096 vehicles
Diesel	2004	451/999Average	84,670 miles	1,465 vehicles
Petrol	2004	457/999Average	89,848 miles	1,424 vehicles
Diesel	2002	440/999Average	85,786 miles	1,485 vehicles
Petrol	2001	462/999Average	89,514 miles	2,049 vehicles
Petrol	2000	462/999Average	89,127 miles	1,722 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLVO S60?

Based on 2,161 MOT tests from 154 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

154

MOT tests

2,161

Pass rate

78.7%

Median mileage

100,043 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLVO S60 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 636 out of 999.

Common VOLVO S60 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 353 advisory comments and 50 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 69 advisory comments and 14 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 49 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 45 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 40 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 32 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REGISTRATION PLATE LAMP NOT WORKING (1.1.C.1D)

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 28 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: REAR REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 8 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

VOLVO S60 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2020	9	31	96.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	9	50	88%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	9	80	85%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	5	45	86.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	10	104	84.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	11	122	82.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	13	150	83.3%	Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
2012	13	182	77.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	14	204	81.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2007	5	112	75%	Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
2006	7	159	76.1%	Suspension arm issues, Tyre wear
2005	7	180	72.2%	Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
2004	5	142	69%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2003	8	177	76.8%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2002	5	117	82.1%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues

What to check when buying a used VOLVO S60

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Buying a VOLVO S60?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLVO S60s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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