At a Glance
Volvo has 148 identified common problems across 42 models, with the 740 being the most affected model and electrical the most common problem category. Based on 9.1M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Volvo common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 9.1M DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Volvo models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Volvo Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 42 Volvo models.
V70
Most common: Brakes
V40
Most common: Brakes
S40
Most common: Brakes
Xc90
Most common: Brakes
Xc60
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
V50
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
S60
Most common: Brakes
C30
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
S80
Most common: Suspension
Most Common Volvo MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.98% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.29% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 8.25% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 7.35% |
| 5 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.19% |
| 6 | Front lamp not working | 4.97% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.27% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.22% |
| 9 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.60% |
| 10 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.57% |
| 11 | Driveshaft fault | 2.90% |
| 12 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.83% |
| 13 | Track rod end worn | 2.45% |
| 14 | Stop lamp not working | 2.13% |
| 15 | Position lamp not working | 2.13% |
| 16 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.13% |
| 17 | Exhaust system fault | 1.95% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.69% |
| 19 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.58% |
| 20 | Rear lamp not working | 1.36% |
| 21 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.28% |
| 22 | Headlamp fault | 1.26% |
| 23 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.15% |
| 24 | Indicator fault | 1.09% |
| 25 | Parking brake condition | 0.99% |
| 26 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.95% |
| 27 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.94% |
| 28 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.88% |
| 29 | Steering rack fault | 0.81% |
| 30 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.69% |
| 31 | Seat belt condition | 0.64% |
| 32 | Fog lamp not working | 0.63% |
| 33 | ABS fault | 0.58% |
| 34 | Airbag warning light on | 0.58% |
| 35 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.42% |
| 36 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.37% |
| 37 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.33% |
| 38 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.31% |
| 39 | Front suspension fault | 0.31% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.27% |
| 41 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.24% |
| 42 | Horn not working | 0.24% |
| 43 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.23% |
| 44 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.22% |
| 45 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.22% |
| 46 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.19% |
| 47 | Brake lever fault | 0.18% |
| 48 | Brake pedal fault | 0.17% |
| 49 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.17% |
| 50 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.16% |
| 51 | Rear suspension fault | 0.16% |
| 52 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 53 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.14% |
| 54 | Electrical switch fault | 0.14% |
| 55 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 56 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.13% |
| 57 | Steering free play excessive | 0.11% |
| 58 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.11% |
| 59 | Chassis condition | 0.11% |
| 60 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.10% |
| 61 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.10% |
| 62 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.09% |
| 63 | Brake fluid leak | 0.09% |
| 64 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.09% |
| 65 | Steering arm worn | 0.08% |
| 66 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.08% |
| 67 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.07% |
| 68 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.07% |
| 69 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.07% |
| 70 | Drag link end worn | 0.07% |
| 71 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 72 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.06% |
| 73 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.06% |
| 74 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 75 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 76 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 77 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.04% |
| 78 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.04% |
| 79 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 80 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.04% |
| 81 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 82 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 84 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 88 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 89 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 90 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 92 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 93 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 94 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 99 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | CV joint worn | 0.02% |
| 101 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 103 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 105 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 106 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 107 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.02% |
| 108 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 109 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 110 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 111 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 113 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 114 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 115 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 117 | Steering coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 118 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 121 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 123 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 132 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 134 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 137 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 148 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 151 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 155 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 160 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 161 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 166 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 171 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 175 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 177 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 178 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 179 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 181 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 182 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 186 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 188 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 190 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 191 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 193 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 195 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 196 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 197 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 198 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 199 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 200 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 201 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 202 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 203 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
Showing all 203 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Volvo, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volvo problems?
Based on analysis of 9.1M Volvo MOT tests from DVSA data, Volvo has 148 identified common problems across 42 models. The Volvo 740 has the most recorded problems. Electrical issues are the most common category.
Which Volvo model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Volvo 740 has the highest count with 49 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Volvo models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volvo?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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