2007 Volvo S60 — MOT failures & pass rate
4,383 MOT tests on the 2007 Volvo S60 are in this dataset, and 75.1% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.0%) and brakes (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — position lamp alone was recorded 346 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.2% versus 17.9%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 24.7% of the time against 25.0% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.8% 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 | 16.0% | 700 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.8% | 606 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.6% | 335 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 225 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 144 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.2% | 139 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 346 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 344 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 270 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 248 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 168 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 157 |
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 | 32.8% | 1,437 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.2% | 1,146 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.9% | 1,136 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 855 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.2% | 449 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 315 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 207 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 576 | 21.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,207 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,104 | 26.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,269 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,172 | 25.0% |
| Petrol | 1,211 | 24.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,109 | 24.9% |
| 2022 | 970 | 23.9% |
| 2023 | 900 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 768 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 636 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 S60
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.8% 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 (7.6% 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 2007 Volvo S60s pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 4,383 2007 Volvo S60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Volvo S60?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by brakes (13.8%).
Does the 2007 S60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 30-60k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,383 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.