Used car guide

2003 Volvo S60: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Volvo S60s, from 783 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

783MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,900typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Volvo S60s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
    Volvo S60
    20.6% All 2003 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.9× usual
    Volvo S60
    10.2% All 2003 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Individual direction indicators2.6× usual
    Volvo S60
    8.2% All 2003 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.2× usual
    Volvo S60
    6.9% All 2003 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Headlights: 4.7% here, against 12.1% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Volvo S60 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    47% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    32% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Steering
    14% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20201,114Tyres 32%
20191,176Tyres 25%
2018875Tyres 32%
20171,083Tyres 31%
20161,162Tyres 35%
20151,209Tyres 33%
20141,333Tyres 33%
20131,366Tyres 35%
20121,653Suspension 40%
20111,702Suspension 35%
2010603Suspension 37%
2007510Suspension 47%
2006816Lights and electrics 38%
20051,040Lights and electrics 42%
2004846Suspension 46%
2002540Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Volvo S60s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score