2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Volvo S60 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,091 MOT tests in 2024. 57.8% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time57.8%
Failed or needed repairs42.3%
Typical mileage at test136,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,091 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working9.3%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.0%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.7%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.5%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.6%
  6. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side3.2%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value3.2%
    45 marked dangerous
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
    45 marked dangerous
  9. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics40.2%
  2. Brakes25.3%
  3. Suspension16.2%
  4. Tyres8.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.7%
  6. Steering6.0%
  7. Body & chassis5.6%
  8. Emissions & leaks2.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.9%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn16.0%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.6%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.6%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. 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 2004 Volvo S60?

In 2024, 57.8% of 2004 Volvo S60 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,091 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Volvo S60?

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

Is the 2004 Volvo S60 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).