At a Glance
The Volvo S60 has 12 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 (2000-2009) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 548K 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 our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volvo S60 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volvo S60 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Volvo S60 Generations
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Most Common Volvo S60 MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo S60 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 | Number plate lamp not working | 12.50% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 11.87% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.39% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 7.83% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.93% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.05% |
| 7 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.94% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.65% |
| 9 | Track rod end worn | 2.85% |
| 10 | Position lamp not working | 2.79% |
| 11 | Stop lamp not working | 2.63% |
| 12 | Front lamp not working | 2.23% |
| 13 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.89% |
| 14 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.69% |
| 15 | Headlamp fault | 1.66% |
| 16 | Windscreen washer not working | 1.64% |
| 17 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.58% |
| 18 | Parking brake condition | 1.53% |
| 19 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.42% |
| 20 | Exhaust system fault | 1.34% |
| 21 | Driveshaft fault | 1.07% |
| 22 | ABS fault | 1.04% |
| 23 | Indicator fault | 0.90% |
| 24 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.84% |
| 25 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.79% |
| 26 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.73% |
| 27 | Fog lamp not working | 0.68% |
| 28 | Rear lamp not working | 0.68% |
| 29 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.56% |
| 30 | Airbag warning light on | 0.54% |
| 31 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.51% |
| 32 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.50% |
| 33 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.45% |
| 34 | Steering rack fault | 0.44% |
| 35 | Seat belt condition | 0.42% |
| 36 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.40% |
| 37 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.40% |
| 38 | Brake lever fault | 0.23% |
| 39 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.23% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.23% |
| 41 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.18% |
| 42 | Steering arm worn | 0.17% |
| 43 | Brake pedal fault | 0.17% |
| 44 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.17% |
| 45 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.17% |
| 46 | Front suspension fault | 0.15% |
| 47 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 48 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.12% |
| 49 | Horn not working | 0.12% |
| 50 | Steering free play excessive | 0.11% |
| 51 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.11% |
| 52 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.10% |
| 53 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.10% |
| 54 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.09% |
| 55 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 56 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.09% |
| 57 | Brake caliper fault | 0.08% |
| 58 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.08% |
| 59 | Drag link end worn | 0.07% |
| 60 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.07% |
| 61 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.07% |
| 62 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.07% |
| 63 | Rear suspension fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Steering column fault | 0.06% |
| 65 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 67 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 68 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 69 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 70 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 72 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.04% |
| 73 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 74 | Electrical switch fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 76 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 79 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.03% |
| 80 | Speedometer fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 82 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 83 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 85 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 86 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 87 | Brake fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 88 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 93 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 96 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 100 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 107 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 110 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 111 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 113 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Vehicle structure corrosion | <0.01% |
| 117 | Chassis condition | <0.01% |
| 118 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 119 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 121 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 122 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 133 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 134 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 137 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 143 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 146 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 149 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 152 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 155 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 159 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 163 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 169 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 172 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 174 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 175 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 180 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo S60 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volvo S60, 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 S60 problems?
Based on analysis of 548K Volvo S60 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 12 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Front lamp not working". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Volvo S60 generation has the most problems?
The Volvo S60 Mk1 (2000-2009) (2000–2009) has the highest number of identified common problems (15). Click the generation card above for the 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 S60?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo S60 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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