Used car guide · 2010–2026

Volvo V60 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volvo V60, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 116,053 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

116,053MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
44,285on the UK register
4known faults across all years
2010best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010

What usually goes wrong with a Volvo V60?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Engine fire recalls

    Cars registered 2011–2018 · All engines

    About 70,000 UK 2.0 diesels are recalled for a fire risk, five-cylinder engines for fuel lines that could leak, cars built July 2010 to April 2015 for a coolant leak that could start a fire, and 2015–16 cars for a cracked fuel hose.

    At the viewing: Ask a Volvo dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: What Car?: used Volvo V60 (2010-2018) reliability

  • Parking brake and steering recalls

    Cars registered 2011–2016 · Built 2010 to 2016

    On manuals with stop-start built Dec 2010 to Feb 2015 the parking brake could release, and cars built Jan 2015 to Feb 2016 could lose power steering through a software fault.

    At the viewing: Ask for proof the updates were done.

    Source: What Car?: used Volvo V60 (2010-2018) reliability

  • EGR faults (D4) and particulate filter

    Cars registered 2011–2018 · Diesel

    D4 diesels can have EGR faults and go into limp mode, and early diesels can clog their particulate filter.

    At the viewing: Watch for the engine light and lost power.

    Source: What Car?: used Volvo V60 (2010-2018) reliability

  • Gearbox oil every three years

    Cars registered 2011–2018 · Automatic

    The automatic gearbox needs its fluid changed every three years.

    At the viewing: Check the paperwork for gearbox oil changes.

    Source: What Car?: used Volvo V60 (2010-2018) reliability

Common Volvo V60 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Wheels

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Number plates

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Engine warning light

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012 and 2013.

    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.

Volvo V60 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Volvo V60 did best (67% passed first time, 7 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2017 did worst (78%, 2 points below all 2017 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202288%89% -11,540
202188%87% +17,288
202086%87% -18,277
201985%85% +013,690
201884%83% +111,512
201778%80% -29,439
201678%77% +111,374
201577%74% +39,830
201473%70% +310,809
201372%67% +510,571
201268%64% +413,547
201168%62% +67,467
201067%60% +7709

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo V60

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

  1. Have the fire-risk recalls been done?
  2. Have the parking brake and steering updates been done?
  3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the Volvo V60 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Volvo V60 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Volvo V60 as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo V60?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score