2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Volvo S60 MOT pass rate and common faults

892 MOT tests in 2024. 56.8% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time56.8%
Failed or needed repairs43.2%
Typical mileage at test129,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 892 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working10.8%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.2%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.8%
  4. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side3.7%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.0%
  6. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.6%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics40.8%
  2. Brakes25.7%
  3. Suspension13.8%
  4. Tyres8.1%
  5. Steering7.1%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.8%
  7. Body & chassis6.1%
  8. Emissions & leaks3.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.9%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn16.9%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.9%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened12.8%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Volvo S60?

In 2024, 56.8% of 2003 Volvo S60 cars passed their MOT first time, across 892 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Volvo S60?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Volvo S60 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 99, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).