2013 Volvo S60 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,708 MOT tests, the 2013 Volvo S60 recorded an 82.3% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 16.9%, so the 2013 S60 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.9%) and lighting & signalling (5.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, brake pads and headlamp aim — track rod end alone was recorded 359 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 19.7% versus 10.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.9% | 514 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 5.9% | 510 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.1% | 440 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.3% | 378 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.9% | 341 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 241 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 359 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 309 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 307 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 272 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 179 |
| 6 | Washers | 131 |
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 | 28.1% | 2,446 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.1% | 1,836 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.9% | 1,467 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.6% | 751 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 425 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.5% | 389 |
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 | 132 | 10.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,146 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,306 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,377 | 19.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,571 | 17.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,170 | 19.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,254 | 18.0% |
| Petrol | 454 | 10.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,795 | 16.3% |
| 2022 | 1,800 | 17.6% |
| 2023 | 1,738 | 17.2% |
| 2024 | 1,734 | 18.8% |
| 2025 | 1,641 | 18.6% |
What to check before buying a 2013 S60
On a 2013 S60, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (5.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.1% 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.
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 2013 Volvo S60s pass their MOT?
82.3% of the 8,708 2013 Volvo S60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Volvo S60?
Tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (5.9%).
Does the 2013 S60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.6% in the 0-30k band to 19.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,708 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.