Used car guide

2017 Volvo XC60: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Volvo XC60s, from 14,724 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,724MOT tests in 2025
80%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
9,000typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Volvo XC60s than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Number plate lights2.7× usual
    Volvo XC60
    6.5% All 2017 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Coil springs1.7× usual
    Volvo XC60
    4.8% All 2017 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2% of all 2017 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.

  • Track rod ends1.9× usual
    Volvo XC60
    3.8% All 2017 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.9% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

By area

The share of 2017 Volvo XC60 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
    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.

  • Suspension
    15% 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
    12% 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
    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.

Looking at a Volvo XC60?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023519Tyres 16%
20227,152Tyres 24%
20219,856Tyres 25%
20207,890Tyres 27%
201911,293Tyres 27%
201810,775Tyres 25%
201614,700Tyres 29%
201512,584Tyres 30%
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 2017 Volvo XC60s registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score