Used car guide

2015 Volvo XC60: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Volvo XC60s, from 12,584 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,584MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
9,400typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Volvo XC60s than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Volvo XC60
    9.6% All 2015 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 3% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes6.5× usual
    Volvo XC60
    2.6% All 2015 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Side repeaters2.5× usual
    Volvo XC60
    2% All 2015 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.5% 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, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.4% here, against 5.2% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Volvo XC60 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Suspension
    22% 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.

  • Brakes
    21% 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
    14% 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
    6% 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
    4% 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 XC60?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023519Tyres 16%
20227,152Tyres 24%
20219,856Tyres 25%
20207,890Tyres 27%
201911,293Tyres 27%
201810,775Tyres 25%
201714,724Tyres 29%
201614,700Tyres 29%
20148,746Tyres 31%
20135,129Tyres 29%
20124,791Suspension 31%
20114,276Suspension 34%
20103,973Suspension 36%
20092,747Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Volvo XC60s registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score