Used car guide

2015 Volvo S60: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Volvo S60s, from 1,209 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,209MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
9,900typical miles a year
5.7×the usual rate for individual direction indicators

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Volvo S60s than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Individual direction indicators5.7× usual
    Volvo S60
    4.6% All 2015 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2015 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Volvo S60
    4.7% All 2015 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.2% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Engine warning light2.3× usual
    Volvo S60
    3.6% All 2015 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.6% of all 2015 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.

By area

The share of 2015 Volvo S60 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    23% 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.

  • Suspension
    18% 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
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% 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.

Looking at a Volvo S60?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20201,114Tyres 32%
20191,176Tyres 25%
2018875Tyres 32%
20171,083Tyres 31%
20161,162Tyres 35%
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%
2003783Suspension 47%
2002540Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Volvo S60s registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score