2011 · 13 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2011 Volvo S60 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,771 MOT tests in 2024. 71.0% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

115Well above average
Passed first time71.0%
Failed or needed repairs29.0%
Typical mileage at test113,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,771 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.1%
    65 marked dangerous
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    82 marked dangerous
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.2%
  4. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
    44 marked dangerous
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.4%
  7. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.2%
  9. Side repeaters: not working1.1%
  10. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics12.9%
  2. Brakes9.1%
  3. Suspension9.0%
  4. Tyres7.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.3%
  6. Steering4.1%
  7. Emissions & leaks2.8%
  8. Body & chassis1.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.7%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.8%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened8.9%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.2%

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: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. 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 2011 Volvo S60?

In 2024, 71.0% of 2011 Volvo S60 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,771 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Volvo S60?

The most common failure reasons were brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 Volvo S60 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 115, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).