Used car guide

2018 Volvo V60: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Volvo V60s, from 3,879 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,879MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
9,300typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Volvo V60s than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
    Volvo V60
    2.3% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

By area

The share of 2018 Volvo V60 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    19% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    6% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,486Tyres 29%
20213,663Tyres 30%
20202,784Tyres 30%
20194,611Tyres 28%
20173,162Tyres 33%
20163,777Tyres 33%
20153,281Tyres 34%
20143,565Tyres 36%
20133,497Tyres 37%
20124,394Suspension 39%
20112,378Tyres 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Volvo V60s registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score