2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Volvo V60 MOT pass rate and common faults

4,430 MOT tests in 2024. 66.7% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time66.7%
Failed or needed repairs33.3%
Typical mileage at test116,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,430 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.7%
    221 marked dangerous
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
    245 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.3%
    199 marked dangerous
  4. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.3%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.9%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.3%
  7. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.0%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.5%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.4%
    88 marked dangerous
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension12.7%
  2. Tyres11.9%
  3. Lights & electrics10.3%
  4. Brakes10.1%
  5. Steering6.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks1.7%
  8. Body & chassis1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.8%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.2%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.2%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.3%

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 V60?

In 2024, 66.7% of 2012 Volvo V60 cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,430 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Volvo V60?

The most common failure reasons were brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Volvo V60 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).