Family SUV · 2006–2021 cars

Volvo XC60 reliability

The Volvo XC60 fails 19.5% of first MOT tests, 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 342,893 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 70/100#21 of 59 family suvs

Checking a Volvo XC60 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 19.5%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 22% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 342,893; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 10,200; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Volvo XC60's first-time MOT fail rate is 19.5%, against 28.4% for all cars, and it has 22% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. It ranks 21 of 59 family SUV models. 2021 cars are the strongest year, with 45% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. 2016 is the weakest, with 12% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Steering is the area to watch, with 16% more fails there than comparable cars.

Inspect any XC60 before you buy. Ask for the MOT history, then check for fractured or broken coil springs, the most common failure at 3.25% of tests. Look at brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.54%), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.82%), and tyre cuts reaching the ply or cords (1.33%). Test the steering on a drive.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Volvo XC60 ages

Each point is the share of Volvo XC60s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Volvo XC60All cars

Volvo XC60 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Volvo XC60	All cars
3	9.3%	12.3%
4	11.1%	14.1%
5	13.9%	16.4%
6	17.2%	19.1%
7	20.9%	22.1%
8	23.5%	25.5%
9	24.6%	28.8%
10	26.8%	31.8%
11	27.5%	34.6%
12	28.7%	37.3%
13	29.8%	39.5%
14	29.6%	41.1%
15	28.8%	42.3%

By year

The best and worst Volvo XC60 years

2021 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Volvo XC60 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 XC60	3,414	7.1%	45% fewer fails	31,136
2020 XC60	13,893	8.5%	37% fewer fails	33,838
2019 XC60	29,304	10.5%	28% fewer fails	37,853
2018 XC60	37,105	10.9%	33% fewer fails	44,647
2017 XC60	51,930	15.6%	20% fewer fails	55,148
2016 XC60	51,853	19.9%	12% fewer fails	65,693
2015 XC60	44,786	21.9%	17% fewer fails	77,421
2014 XC60	31,844	24.9%	17% fewer fails	89,379
2013 XC60	18,414	25.2%	24% fewer fails	95,018
2012 XC60	17,270	28.3%	22% fewer fails	105,690
2011 XC60	15,913	29.2%	25% fewer fails	114,833
2010 XC60	15,192	29.6%	28% fewer fails	122,444
2009 XC60	10,992	29.3%	32% fewer fails	125,415
2008	980	32.2%	26% fewer fails	128,415

Common problems

What fails most on a Volvo XC60

Its weak spot is steering: 16% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics5.6%37% below avg
Tyres5.2%21% below avg
Suspension4.9%28% below avg
Brakes4%27% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.2%45% below avg
Steering1.6%16% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.1%53% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.8%64% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.4%44% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.25% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.54% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.82% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.33% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.08% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.89% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
Side repeater not working 0.8% of tests
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
8
Stop lamp not working 0.68% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volvo XC60's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit13.55%
Brake pads wearing thin10.45%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.64%
Brake disc pitted or scored4.83%
Brake discs showing some wear2.97%
Child seat limits belt inspection2.81%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Volvo XC60

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Volvo XC60 covers about 10,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel86%
Petrol8.5%
Hybrid4.7%
Other0.8%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Grey, Black, Blue, White, Silver

Average engine size: 2.2 litres.

Compare

How the Volvo XC60 compares with its rivals

Volvo XC60 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi Q5	15.3%	38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW X3	19.9%	25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo XC60	19.5%	22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota RAV4	25.3%	20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Discovery Sport	16.5%	14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai Tucson	17.5%	3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan X-Trail	29.3%	6% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Volvo models.

Questions

Volvo XC60 questions, answered

Is the Volvo XC60 reliable?

On MOT results, the Volvo XC60 is better than average: it fails 19.5% of first MOT tests, 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 21 of 59 family suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Volvo XC60 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Volvo XC60 are coil spring fractured or broken (3.25% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.54% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.82% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 5.6% of its tests.

Which Volvo XC60 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Volvo XC60 do a year?

A typical Volvo XC60 covers about 10,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Volvo XC60 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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