2019 Volvo S60 — MOT failures & pass rate
5,028 MOT tests on the 2019 Volvo S60 are in this dataset, and 90.8% of them passed. That is 1.2 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 10.4%. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.8%) and brakes (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, shock absorbers and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 112 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 19.4% versus 5.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.0% of tests failed in 2022 against 10.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.8% | 241 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.2% | 111 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 84 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.6% | 78 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 74 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.7% | 35 |
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 | 112 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 87 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 74 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 64 |
| 5 | Wipers | 52 |
| 6 | Joints | 30 |
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 | 21.2% | 1,066 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.5% | 578 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 298 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 154 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.0% | 149 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.7% | 34 |
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 | 2,337 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,221 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 389 | 16.7% |
| 90-120k | 67 | 19.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,743 | 8.9% |
| Hybrid | 280 | 13.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,216 | 6.0% |
| 2023 | 1,240 | 8.2% |
| 2024 | 1,267 | 11.6% |
| 2025 | 1,283 | 10.8% |
What to check before buying a 2019 S60
On a 2019 S60, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.8% 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 (2.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.7% 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 2019 Volvo S60s pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 5,028 2019 Volvo S60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volvo S60?
Tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by brakes (2.2%).
Does the 2019 S60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 19.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,028 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.