Is the Volvo XC60 reliable?

On MOT evidence the Volvo XC60 is well above average. It passes 79.1% of tests once age and mileage are accounted for, against a national average of 72.3%, which ranks it 62 of 262 models with enough data for a fair comparison. This measures how often the car meets the MOT standard, not how often it breaks down or what a repair costs.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Volvo XC60?

The item recorded most often is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", which appears in 29.2% of failed Volvo XC60 tests. Because one failed test can list several items, these shares do not add up to 100%.

What do testers most often warn about on a Volvo XC60?

The most common advisory is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", noted on 25.6% of all Volvo XC60 tests. An advisory is not a failure: it flags something that will likely need attention before the next test.

What mileage does a Volvo XC60 usually have at its MOT?

The average odometer reading recorded at test is 79,649 miles. This is the mileage across all tested examples of every age, not an annual figure, so treat it as a description of the fleet rather than a target for one car.

Which Volvo XC60 years are the most reliable?

Going by MOT pass rate, Volvo XC60 cars first registered 2020–2022 do best at 90.3%, and those registered 2010 and earlier do worst at 66.3%. But that ordering is mostly age, not build year: almost every model passes less often as it wears, so the newest cars top this list whatever they are. A specific year looking strong here means little on its own; the failure items above, and the individual car's own MOT history, tell you far more.

Does a Volvo XC60 get harder to pass as it ages?

Yes. At 3 to 5 years old, 90.3% of Volvo XC60 tests pass. By fifteen years or more, that falls to 66.3%. Nearly every model follows this pattern, which is why comparing raw pass rates between models is misleading unless age is accounted for.

Are most Volvo XC60 models petrol or diesel?

Of the Volvo XC60 cars tested, 70% are diesel, 15% are hybrid, 10% are petrol. Fuel type affects which items tend to fail, particularly emissions and exhaust components.

Model reliability file

Volvo XC60 MOT pass rate & common failures

From 119,016 recorded MOT tests of the Volvo XC60, published by DVSA.

Data updated 29 July 2026

Quick answer

The Volvo XC60 passes 79.1% of MOT tests once results are adjusted for the age and mileage of the cars tested, against a national average of 72.3%. That is well above average, ranking it 62 of 262 models with enough data to compare fairly. Based on 119,016 tests. Its most commonly recorded failure is spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, which appears in 29.2% of failed tests. Cars of this model average 79,649 miles on the odometer when tested.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

79.1%national average72.3%unadjusted80.2%range covered99%rank62 of 262

The XC60 is 6.8 percentage points above the national pass rate once age and mileage are accounted for, which is well above average. The unadjusted figure is 80.2%; the difference is what the age and mileage of this model’s fleet was hiding.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Volvo XC60 tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several items, so these do not sum to 100%.

1.A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened29.2%
5,846 occurrencesRoad spring broken or fractured explained
2.A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm15.9%
3,189 occurrencesBrake drum or shoe worn or contaminated explained
3.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements14.9%
2,984 occurrencesTyre worn close to the legal limit explained
4.A tyre seriously damaged13.3%
2,668 occurrencesTyre damaged or deteriorated explained
5.A tyre cords visible or damaged8.0%
1,595 occurrencesTyre ply or cord exposed, or the casing separating explained
6.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen6.1%
1,214 occurrencesWiper or washer not working properly explained
7.A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning5.0%
997 occurrencesDirection indicator not working explained
8.Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction3.9%
788 occurrencesEngine management light on, or not working explained
9.Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc3.8%
767 occurrencesSteering rack gaiter split, damaged or missing explained
10.A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play3.7%
747 occurrencesBall joint worn explained

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Volvo XC60 tests carrying each advisory. The denominator differs from the failure list above because an advisory can be issued on a car that passed.

1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements25.6%
30,514 testsTyre worn close to the legal limit explained
2.A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm13.3%
15,774 testsBrake drum or shoe worn or contaminated explained
3.A tyre seriously damaged10.0%
11,945 testsTyre damaged or deteriorated explained
4.Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured8.0%
9,546 testsBrake disc worn, pitted or scored explained
5.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn4.9%
5,873 testsSuspension arm bush worn explained
6.Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn4.9%
5,815 testsBrake disc worn, pitted or scored explained
7.Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt3.6%
4,268 tests
8.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements3.4%
4,032 testsTyre worn close to the legal limit explained

The rest of the record

Everything else recorded on the Volvo XC60

The 19 other defects testers recorded on this model, beyond the most common listed above. Each links to what it means and what it takes to put right.

Known faults

Volvo XC60 common problems, by part and by year

The same failure record read the way a buyer asks the question: which parts wear out on a XC60, when they start, and how each registration year compares — including the steps that mark a generation change.

XC60 common problems and results by year

How wear changes the picture

XC60 pass rate by age and registration year

How often the Volvo XC60 passes at each age, with the years those cars were first registered. Tests are from 2025, so a car aged 3 to 5 was first used in 2020–2022.

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202290%

6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201985%

9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201675%

12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201371%

15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier66%

Read this as an age curve rather than a verdict on particular model years. Nearly every car passes less often as it gets older, so a newer XC60 outscoring an older one says more about wear than about how that year’s cars were built. Bands holding too few tests to be meaningful are omitted rather than shown as a rate.

What gets tested

The XC60 fleet

Average mileage recorded at test: 79,649
Fuel mix of tested cars: Diesel69.8%
Hybrid14.9%
Petrol9.6%
Diesel hybrid5.7%

Trim names grouped into this model (40)

Recorded exactly as DVSA holds them. Trim-level names are rolled up so one model is not split across a dozen thin pages.

XC60 + B4 MHEV AUTO
XC60 + B4 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC60 + B5 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC60 + T6 PHEV AWD AUTO
XC60 + T6 RECHARGE AWD AUTO
XC60 CORE B4 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC60 CORE B5 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC60 CORE B6 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC60 CORE T6 RECHARGE AWD AUTO
XC60 EDITION T4 AUTO
XC60 INSCRIPT T6 RCHARGE AWD A
XC60 INSCRIPTION B4 AWD AUTO
XC60 INSCRIPTION B4 MHEV AUTO
XC60 INSCRIPTION B4 MHEV AWD A
XC60 INSCRIPTION B5 AWD AUTO
XC60 INSCRIPTION B5 MHEV AUTO
XC60 INSCRIPTION B5 MHEV AWD A
XC60 INSCRIPTION D4 AUTO
XC60 INSCRIPTION PRO B4 AWD A
XC60 INSCRIPTION PRO B4 MHEV A
XC60 INSCRIPTION PRO B5 AWD A
XC60 INSCRIPTION PRO B5 MHEV A
XC60 INSCRIPTION PRO T5 AUTO
XC60 INSCRIPTION T5 AUTO
XC60 INSCRIPTION T8 PHEV AWD A
XC60 INSCRP PRO T8RECHRG AWD A
XC60 INSCRPT EXP T6RCHRG AWD A
XC60 INSCRPT PRO B4 MHEV AWD A
XC60 INSCRPT PRO B5 MHEV AWD A
XC60 INSCRPT PRO T8 PHEV AWD A
XC60 MOMENTUM B4 AWD AUTO
XC60 MOMENTUM B4 MHEV AUTO
XC60 MOMENTUM B4 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC60 MOMENTUM B5 MHEV AUTO
XC60 MOMENTUM B5 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC60 MOMENTUM D4 AUTO
XC60 MOMENTUM PRO B4 AWD AUTO
XC60 MOMENTUM PRO B5 MHEV AUTO
XC60 MOMENTUM PRO B5MHEV AWD A
XC60 MOMENTUM PRO D4 AUTO

Check a specific Volvo XC60

A model average tells you the pattern. Its own MOT record tells you the car.

Compare within the range

Other Volvo models

Volvo V40 — 67.4% adjusted
Volvo XC40 — 90.0% unadjusted
Volvo XC90 — 77.6% adjusted
Volvo V60 — 78.3% adjusted
Volvo V70 — 63.8% unadjusted
Volvo V50 — 55.2% unadjusted
All Volvo models

Similar test volumes

Compare against other makes

Land Rover Defender — 74.4% adjusted, ranked 117
Audi Q5 — 81.6% adjusted, ranked 42
Dacia Sandero — 64.4% adjusted, ranked 226
Land Rover Discovery Sport — 81.9% adjusted, ranked 40

Common questions

Is the Volvo XC60 reliable?: On MOT evidence the Volvo XC60 is well above average. It passes 79.1% of tests once age and mileage are accounted for, against a national average of 72.3%, which ranks it 62 of 262 models with enough data for a fair comparison. This measures how often the car meets the MOT standard, not how often it breaks down or what a repair costs.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Volvo XC60?: The item recorded most often is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", which appears in 29.2% of failed Volvo XC60 tests. Because one failed test can list several items, these shares do not add up to 100%.
What do testers most often warn about on a Volvo XC60?: The most common advisory is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", noted on 25.6% of all Volvo XC60 tests. An advisory is not a failure: it flags something that will likely need attention before the next test.
What mileage does a Volvo XC60 usually have at its MOT?: The average odometer reading recorded at test is 79,649 miles. This is the mileage across all tested examples of every age, not an annual figure, so treat it as a description of the fleet rather than a target for one car.
Which Volvo XC60 years are the most reliable?: Going by MOT pass rate, Volvo XC60 cars first registered 2020–2022 do best at 90.3%, and those registered 2010 and earlier do worst at 66.3%. But that ordering is mostly age, not build year: almost every model passes less often as it wears, so the newest cars top this list whatever they are. A specific year looking strong here means little on its own; the failure items above, and the individual car's own MOT history, tell you far more.
Does a Volvo XC60 get harder to pass as it ages?: Yes. At 3 to 5 years old, 90.3% of Volvo XC60 tests pass. By fifteen years or more, that falls to 66.3%. Nearly every model follows this pattern, which is why comparing raw pass rates between models is misleading unless age is accounted for.
Are most Volvo XC60 models petrol or diesel?: Of the Volvo XC60 cars tested, 70% are diesel, 15% are hybrid, 10% are petrol. Fuel type affects which items tend to fail, particularly emissions and exhaust components.

How this was worked out

Method and limits

Figures come from the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, published under the Open Government Licence. Only class 4 initial tests are counted: retests are excluded so a car appears once, and abandoned tests are excluded entirely. The adjusted rate is directly standardised across twenty-five age and mileage bands and reweighted onto the national distribution, so this model is compared against cars that have lived a similar life rather than against a younger or lighter-used fleet.

An MOT measures whether a car met a legal standard on the day. It is not a breakdown record, a service history or a running-cost estimate, and a pass rate is a property of a fleet rather than a prediction about one car.