2008 Volvo XC60 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,736 MOT tests, the 2008 Volvo XC60 recorded a 79.1% pass rate. That is 6.1 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 27.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.8%) and suspension (9.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 97 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 23.9% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 188 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.8% | 171 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.3% | 92 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.3% | 75 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 64 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 49 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 97 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 72 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 51 |
| 4 | Washers | 46 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 45 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 40 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 25.9% | 449 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.5% | 442 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.6% | 358 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 209 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.2% | 159 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 81 |
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 | 38 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 181 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 497 | 18.3% |
| 120-150k | 576 | 23.1% |
| 150k+ | 440 | 23.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,669 | 21.1% |
| Petrol | 67 | 13.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 364 | 19.2% |
| 2022 | 372 | 18.0% |
| 2023 | 349 | 19.8% |
| 2024 | 352 | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 299 | 22.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 XC60
On a 2008 XC60, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.8% 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.
- Brakes (5.3% 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 2008 Volvo XC60s pass their MOT?
79.1% of the 1,736 2008 Volvo XC60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Volvo XC60?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests, followed by suspension (9.8%).
Does the 2008 XC60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 30-60k band to 23.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,736 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.