2012 Volvo V60 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Volvo V60 passed 78.9% of its 28,733 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 21.6%, so the 2012 V60 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (7.5%) and suspension (7.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, headlamp aim and tread depth — track rod end alone was recorded 1,303 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.2% once past 150k — 3.0× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.0pp more often than petrol ones (21.4% vs 16.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.5% | 2,149 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.0% | 2,004 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 1,971 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.4% | 1,548 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.6% | 1,313 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 983 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 1,303 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,216 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,062 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 974 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 837 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 673 |
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 | 29.1% | 8,365 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.6% | 6,500 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.4% | 5,872 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.6% | 3,050 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 1,825 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 1,508 |
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 | 149 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,808 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 6,531 | 18.9% |
| 90-120k | 9,151 | 21.5% |
| 120-150k | 6,498 | 22.8% |
| 150k+ | 4,591 | 24.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 27,405 | 21.4% |
| Petrol | 1,328 | 16.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,812 | 19.6% |
| 2022 | 5,837 | 20.7% |
| 2023 | 5,836 | 21.2% |
| 2024 | 5,746 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 5,502 | 21.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 V60
On a 2012 V60, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.5% 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.
- Suspension (7.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (6.9% 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 2012 Volvo V60s pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 28,733 2012 Volvo V60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Volvo V60?
Tyres, recorded in 7.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.0%).
Does the 2012 V60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 24.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,733 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.