2010 Volvo XC60 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 26,688 MOT tests, the 2010 Volvo XC60 recorded a 79.4% pass rate. That is 4.7 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 25.3%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.4%) and lighting & signalling (9.4%) 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 1,847 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.9% in the 0-30k band and 23.8% in the 150k+ band, a 14.9-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.4% | 2,518 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 2,517 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.5% | 1,203 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.4% | 1,173 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 701 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.3% | 602 |
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 | 1,847 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,249 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 904 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 683 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 563 |
| 6 | Joints | 471 |
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 | 26.1% | 6,953 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.8% | 5,278 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.6% | 5,227 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.1% | 2,973 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 2,644 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 1,628 |
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 | 90 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 944 | 14.7% |
| 60-90k | 4,038 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 7,637 | 19.4% |
| 120-150k | 7,671 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 6,305 | 23.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 26,254 | 20.6% |
| Petrol | 434 | 18.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,609 | 20.0% |
| 2022 | 5,472 | 19.2% |
| 2023 | 5,416 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 5,203 | 21.2% |
| 2025 | 4,988 | 22.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 XC60
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 9.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (9.4% 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 (9.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.5% 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.
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 XC60s pass their MOT?
79.4% of the 26,688 2010 Volvo XC60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Volvo XC60?
Suspension, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.4%).
Does the 2010 XC60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 23.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,688 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.