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VOLVO XC60 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 4,574 MOT tests from 523 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 XC60 has the same fault.

VOLVO XC60's have a very good reliability rating of 683/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLVO XC60 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 XC60.

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Check the reliability of your Volvo XC60

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Volvo XC60 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Petrol2020838/999Excellent61,817 miles819 vehicles
Diesel2019767/999Very good74,067 miles5,180 vehicles
Petrol2017816/999Excellent66,202 miles1,183 vehicles
Diesel2016698/999Good76,847 miles10,643 vehicles
Diesel2013645/999Good78,441 miles7,224 vehicles
Diesel2012605/999Good76,958 miles5,509 vehicles
Diesel2011566/999Above average78,378 miles4,231 vehicles
Diesel2009531/999Above average82,060 miles2,882 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLVO XC60?

Based on 4,574 MOT tests from 523 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

523

MOT tests

4,574

Pass rate

82.4%

Median mileage

94,026 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLVO XC60 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 725 out of 999.

Common VOLVO XC60 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 871 advisory comments and 128 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: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 384 advisory comments and 77 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))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 139 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 coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 117 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 71 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))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 50 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))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 19 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 an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 16 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 DUST COVER EXCESSIVELY DAMAGED OR DETERIORATED SO THAT IT NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (2.1.3 (G) (II))

VOLVO XC60 MOT reliability by year

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

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2025220—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024170—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
20231617100%Tyre wear
2022142892.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2021226695.5%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20203012491.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20192713892%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20184026688.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20175647385.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20164743080.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20155252582.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20143840183%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20133035981.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20123851180.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20112539077.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20102544477.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20092037179%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used VOLVO XC60

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.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

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

  • Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

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

Buying a VOLVO XC60?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLVO XC60s 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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