2021 Volvo S60 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Volvo S60 passed 92.3% of its 822 recorded MOT tests. Executive cars of a similar age fail 9.8% of the time, so this is 2.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.2% of tests against 1.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and headlamp cleaning device — wipers alone was recorded 12 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 12.0% versus 5.1%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.2% | 43 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 15 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.7% | 14 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.7% | 6 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 4 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.5% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 12 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 3 | Headlamp cleaning device | 8 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 4 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 4 |
| 6 | Washers | 3 |
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 | 23.5% | 193 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.3% | 35 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.6% | 30 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 27 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 9 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 4 |
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 | 394 | 5.1% |
| 30-60k | 358 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 50 | 12.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 786 | 7.4% |
| Petrol | 36 | 13.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 387 | 6.7% |
| 2025 | 414 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 S60
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.2% 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 (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2021 Volvo S60s pass their MOT?
92.3% of the 822 2021 Volvo S60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo S60?
Tyres, recorded in 5.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.8%).
Does the 2021 S60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.1% in the 0-30k band to 12.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 822 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.