2020 Volvo S60 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,682 MOT tests on the 2020 Volvo S60 are in this dataset, and 91.1% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (10.0% fail rate), the 2020 S60 comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 5.4% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 71 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.3% in the 0-30k band and 12.1% in the 90-120k band, a 5.8-point spread.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 2.0pp more often than hybrid ones (9.2% vs 7.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.9% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.4% | 198 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.0% | 72 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 57 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 48 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.0% | 36 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 13 |
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 | 71 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 50 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 4 | Wipers | 35 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 33 |
| 6 | Washers | 16 |
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 | 24.1% | 889 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.1% | 407 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.6% | 171 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 113 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.1% | 79 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.5% | 17 |
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 | 1,871 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,464 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 265 | 15.5% |
| 90-120k | 58 | 12.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,180 | 9.2% |
| Hybrid | 502 | 7.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 68 | 5.9% |
| 2023 | 1,181 | 6.9% |
| 2024 | 1,207 | 10.0% |
| 2025 | 1,221 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 S60
On a 2020 S60, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.4% 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 (2.0% 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 (1.6% 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 2020 Volvo S60s pass their MOT?
91.1% of the 3,682 2020 Volvo S60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volvo S60?
Tyres, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by brakes (2.0%).
Does the 2020 S60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 12.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,682 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.