2010 Volvo V60 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,520 MOT tests on the 2010 Volvo V60 are in this dataset, and 78.5% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail 24.2% of the time, so this is 2.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (7.8%) and lighting & signalling (7.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 63 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 25.7% once past 150k — 2.0× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.8% | 118 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 107 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.6% | 101 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.7% | 86 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 52 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.0% | 30 |
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 | 63 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 44 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 4 | Washers | 31 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 31 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 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 | 30.5% | 464 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.5% | 342 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.9% | 317 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.9% | 166 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 122 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 68 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 94 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 268 | 18.3% |
| 90-120k | 551 | 20.9% |
| 120-150k | 395 | 24.6% |
| 150k+ | 210 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,406 | 21.6% |
| Petrol | 114 | 21.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 307 | 19.2% |
| 2022 | 299 | 18.4% |
| 2023 | 303 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 311 | 25.1% |
| 2025 | 300 | 25.7% |
What to check before buying a 2010 V60
On a 2010 V60, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.6% 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 2010 Volvo V60s pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 1,520 2010 Volvo V60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Volvo V60?
Tyres, recorded in 7.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.0%).
Does the 2010 V60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 30-60k band to 25.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,520 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.