2010 Volvo S60 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,062 MOT tests, the 2010 Volvo S60 recorded an 82.0% pass rate. Against executive cars of a similar age (20.8% fail rate), the 2010 S60 comes out 2.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.3%) and suspension (5.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 139 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 19.5% versus 0.0%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.8% 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 | 7.3% | 296 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.7% | 231 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.7% | 230 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.1% | 208 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 114 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.2% | 90 |
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 | 139 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 121 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 112 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 111 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 88 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 69 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.8% | 1,088 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.2% | 900 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.8% | 803 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.1% | 368 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 298 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 191 |
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 | 37 | 0.0% |
| 30-60k | 278 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 924 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,212 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 892 | 19.5% |
| 150k+ | 717 | 19.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,887 | 18.0% |
| Petrol | 175 | 18.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 901 | 17.5% |
| 2022 | 860 | 17.2% |
| 2023 | 798 | 17.0% |
| 2024 | 782 | 20.3% |
| 2025 | 721 | 18.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 S60
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.7% 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.
- Tyres (5.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2010 Volvo S60s pass their MOT?
82.0% of the 4,062 2010 Volvo S60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Volvo S60?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by suspension (5.7%).
Does the 2010 S60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 0.0% in the 0-30k band to 19.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,062 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.