Used car guide · 2008–2026

Volvo XC60 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volvo XC60, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 333,878 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

333,878MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
159,993on the UK register
7known faults across all years
2009best 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).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008

What usually goes wrong with a Volvo XC60?

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.

  • Many recalls (33)

    Cars registered 2008–2017 · All engines

    The XC60 has had 33 recalls, from fuel gauges to fuel leaks, gearboxes jamming and airbags not deploying.

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

    Source: Auto Express: used Volvo XC60 (Mk1, 2008-2017) problems and recalls

  • Engine fire recall (2.0 diesel)

    Cars registered 2018–2025 · 2.0 diesel

    About 70,000 UK cars with the 2.0 diesel are being recalled for a fire risk. Watch for odd smells, the engine light or hesitation.

    At the viewing: Ask a Volvo dealer about the recall's status for this car.

    Source: What Car?: used Volvo XC60 (2017 on) reliability

  • Parking brake that won’t release

    Cars registered 2008–2017 · All engines

    A sensor can wrongly think a door is open, which stops the electronic parking brake releasing.

    At the viewing: Release the parking brake with all doors shut.

    Source: Auto Express: used Volvo XC60 (Mk1, 2008-2017) problems and recalls

  • Emergency braking and tailgate recalls

    Cars registered 2018–2025 · All engines

    Recalls covered emergency braking that might not work (2020), tailgate arms that could freeze (built to Oct 2018) and the emergency call module (built 2017–2018).

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

    Source: What Car?: used Volvo XC60 (2017 on) reliability

  • DPF, turbo and hybrid battery faults

    Cars registered 2018–2025 · Diesel and hybrid

    Diesels can have DPF and turbo problems, and hybrids battery and charging faults, with some losing electric range.

    At the viewing: Watch for warning lights and check the hybrid's charging and range.

    Source: What Car?: used Volvo XC60 (2017 on) reliability

  • Door locks in freezing weather (early cars)

    Cars registered 2008–2017 · Early cars

    Early cars can have locking and latching problems below freezing.

    At the viewing: Lock, unlock and shut every door.

    Source: Auto Express: used Volvo XC60 (Mk1, 2008-2017) problems and recalls

  • Vibrations from wheels and tyres

    Cars registered 2008–2017 · All engines

    Hard-to-trace vibrations usually come from the wheels and tyres.

    At the viewing: Feel for vibration at motorway speed, and ask if all four wheels have been balanced.

    Source: Auto Express: used Volvo XC60 (Mk1, 2008-2017) problems and recalls

Common Volvo XC60 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.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2016.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2.9× 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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015 and 2017.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

Volvo XC60 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Volvo XC60 did best (68% passed first time, 9 points above all 2009 cars) and the 2016 did worst (78%, 1 point above all 2016 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202395%92% +3592
202291%89% +27,490
202190%87% +319,551
202090%87% +323,812
201988%85% +333,485
201888%83% +532,008
201782%80% +243,851
201678%77% +143,836
201576%74% +237,640
201473%70% +326,358
201373%67% +615,402
201270%64% +614,571
201169%62% +713,261
201068%60% +812,448
200968%59% +98,783
200865%57% +8790

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo XC60

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

  1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Volvo dealer confirm from the VIN?
  2. What's the status of the diesel fire-risk recall on this car?
  3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Volvo XC60 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the Volvo XC60 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Volvo XC60 as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo XC60?

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