2018 Volvo S60 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 Volvo S60 passed 88.7% of its 5,047 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (10.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.9% of tests against 3.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 185 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 14.7% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 10.7% fail against 12.3% for diesel, a 1.6-point gap across 5,047 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 7.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.9% | 348 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.3% | 168 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 165 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 83 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.0% | 49 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 185 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 131 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 102 |
| 4 | Joints | 52 |
| 5 | Wipers | 49 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 48 |
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 | 25.8% | 1,300 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.3% | 874 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.7% | 340 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 185 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 124 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.8% | 89 |
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 | 1,642 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,119 | 11.8% |
| 60-90k | 883 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 282 | 19.1% |
| 120-150k | 87 | 14.9% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 14.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,016 | 10.7% |
| Diesel | 2,031 | 12.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,011 | 7.7% |
| 2022 | 1,042 | 10.7% |
| 2023 | 1,010 | 11.7% |
| 2024 | 980 | 12.8% |
| 2025 | 1,004 | 13.9% |
What to check before buying a 2018 S60
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.9% 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.
- Brakes (3.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2018 Volvo S60s pass their MOT?
88.7% of the 5,047 2018 Volvo S60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Volvo S60?
Tyres, recorded in 6.9% of tests, followed by brakes (3.3%).
Does the 2018 S60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 14.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,047 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.