2016 Volvo XC60: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Volvo XC60?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Volvo XC60 than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Number plate lights2.6× usual
  Volvo XC60

  7.1% All 2016 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

• Coil springs1.7× usual
  Volvo XC60

  5.6% All 2016 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Side repeaters3.3× usual
  Volvo XC60

  2% All 2016 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.4% of all 2016 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.

Common 2016 Volvo XC60 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Volvo XC60 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  29% 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
  21% 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.

• Suspension
  14% 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
  13% 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
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2016 Volvo XC60

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Many recalls (33)

  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

• Parking brake that won’t release

  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

• Door locks in freezing weather (early cars)

  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

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 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. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2016 Volvo XC60 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2016 Volvo XC60 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2016 Volvo XC60 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?