2012 Volvo XC60 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Volvo XC60 passed 80.4% of its 30,318 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.7 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 22.3%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.1%) and lighting & signalling (8.1%) 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 2,392 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 22.0% versus 9.5%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.1% | 2,758 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 2,441 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.6% | 1,400 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.7% | 1,128 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.8% | 835 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 810 |
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 | 2,392 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,250 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 997 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 832 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 815 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 536 |
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 | 25.1% | 7,600 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.6% | 5,643 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.3% | 4,030 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.1% | 3,052 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 2,073 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.8% | 1,439 |
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 | 116 | 9.5% |
| 30-60k | 2,070 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 7,439 | 17.7% |
| 90-120k | 10,399 | 20.2% |
| 120-150k | 6,616 | 21.2% |
| 150k+ | 3,674 | 22.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 29,828 | 19.7% |
| Petrol | 489 | 13.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,122 | 18.6% |
| 2022 | 6,120 | 19.5% |
| 2023 | 6,116 | 19.9% |
| 2024 | 6,036 | 19.8% |
| 2025 | 5,924 | 20.1% |
What to check before buying a 2012 XC60
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 9.1% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (9.1% 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 (8.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.6% 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 2012 Volvo XC60s pass their MOT?
80.4% of the 30,318 2012 Volvo XC60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Volvo XC60?
Suspension, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.1%).
Does the 2012 XC60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 0-30k band to 22.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,318 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.