2005 Volvo S60 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Volvo S60 passed 75.1% of its 9,718 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (24.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests against 13.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,045 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.9% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 23.9% fail against 25.6% for diesel, a 1.7-point gap across 9,718 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 1,707 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.2% | 1,283 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.4% | 723 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.7% | 555 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 384 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.6% | 350 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,045 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 824 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 791 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 754 |
| 5 | Parking brake performance | 372 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 363 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.7% | 3,080 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.6% | 2,582 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.6% | 2,291 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.1% | 2,152 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.9% | 1,153 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 928 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 41 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 372 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,217 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 2,310 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,442 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 3,327 | 26.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,086 | 25.6% |
| Petrol | 3,632 | 23.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,605 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 2,227 | 24.8% |
| 2023 | 1,951 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 1,623 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 1,312 | 25.5% |
What to check before buying a 2005 S60
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (7.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Volvo S60s pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 9,718 2005 Volvo S60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Volvo S60?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests, followed by brakes (13.2%).
Does the 2005 S60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 26.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,718 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.