Used car guide

2006 Volvo S60: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volvo S60 first registered in 2006: we looked at the 816 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

816MOTs of 2006 cars, done in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
6,600typical miles a year
38%had lights and electrics flagged

Common 2006 Volvo S60 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Volvo S60 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% 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
    38% 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
    34% 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
    31% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Volvo S60

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo S60?

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

Other years

Every year of the Volvo S60 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022378Tyres 23%
2021382Tyres 31%
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%
2009–Too few tests
2008301Suspension 41%
2007510Suspension 47%
20051,040Lights and electrics 42%
2004846Suspension 46%
2003783Suspension 47%
2002540Suspension 52%
2001237Suspension 45%
2000–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo S60 cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score