Used car guide

2018 Volvo S60: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volvo S60 first registered in 2018: we looked at the 2,601 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,601MOTs of 2018 cars, done in 2023–2025
82%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 83%)
8,000typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for number plate lights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Volvo S60?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Volvo S60 than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Number plate lights3.4× usual
    Volvo S60
    4.8% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual
    Volvo S60
    2.2% All 2018 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.4% 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.

Common 2018 Volvo S60 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Volvo S60 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    22% 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
    11% 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
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    3% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    2% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 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 number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2018 Volvo S60 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2018 Volvo S60 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. 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
2022393Tyres 23%
2021744Tyres 28%
20203,306Tyres 27%
20193,431Tyres 26%
20173,207Tyres 32%
20163,497Tyres 33%
20153,695Tyres 33%
20144,164Tyres 33%
20134,237Tyres 35%
20125,225Suspension 36%
20115,430Tyres 33%
20101,901Suspension 33%
2009166Lights and electrics 39%
20081,013Suspension 38%
20071,790Suspension 43%
20062,963Lights and electrics 41%
20053,849Lights and electrics 41%
20043,292Suspension 43%
20032,794Suspension 46%
20021,992Suspension 49%
2001874Suspension 48%
2000–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo S60 cars first registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score