2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Volvo S60 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,654 MOT tests in 2024. 68.9% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time68.9%
Failed or needed repairs31.1%
Typical mileage at test110,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,654 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.3%
    71 marked dangerous
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    81 marked dangerous
  4. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.7%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.5%
    58 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.6%
  7. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
  8. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.3%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.3%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension11.2%
  2. Lights & electrics11.2%
  3. Tyres9.3%
  4. Brakes9.2%
  5. Steering5.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.6%
  7. Emissions & leaks1.9%
  8. Body & chassis1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.6%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick11.7%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.6%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.4%

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 2012 Volvo S60?

In 2024, 68.9% of 2012 Volvo S60 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,654 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Volvo S60?

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

Is the 2012 Volvo S60 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 107, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).