2003 Volvo S60 · 3,672 MOT tests
2003 Volvo S60 reliability
2003 Volvo S60s fail 45.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 19 S60 years (3,672 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S60s: 29%)
- 45.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S60s: 29%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 0% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 129,887
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,672
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: tyres, 8.6% of tests fail here (25% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 60% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Volvo S60
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26.2%
- Brakes17.6%
- Suspension11.8%
- Tyres8.6%
- Body, chassis and structure5.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.9%
- Steering5.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 10.35%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.53%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.26%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Parking brake inoperative on one side 3.35%
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
Registration plate lamp not working 3.1%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.08%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (15.71%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.2%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.41%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.99%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (8.74%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.28%)
Other years
Every Volvo S60 year
The full picture: Volvo S60 reliability. Before you pay for any Volvo S60, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Volvo S60 reliable?
2003 Volvo S60s fail 45.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 19 S60 years (3,672 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Volvo S60 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (10.35% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.53% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.26% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Volvo S60 have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Volvo S60 shows 129,887 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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