2008 Volvo S60: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Volvo S60?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Volvo S60 than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  Volvo S60

  19.5% All 2008 cars

  10.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 2.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Side repeaters2.5× usual
  Volvo S60

  3.5% All 2008 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.9% of all 2008 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.

• Handbrake performance2.9× usual
  Volvo S60

  3.2% All 2008 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2008 Volvo S60 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Volvo S60 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Lights and electrics
  34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  32% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  8% 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.

• 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Volvo S60

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

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Volvo S60 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2008 Volvo S60 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the handbrake performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2008 Volvo S60 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?