2013 Volvo XC60 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 31,415 MOT tests, the 2013 Volvo XC60 recorded an 82.0% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 20.2% of the time, so this is 2.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (8.5%) and lighting & signalling (6.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 2,555 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.2% in the 0-30k band and 22.2% in the 150k+ band, a 14.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.5% | 2,677 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 1,945 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.3% | 1,363 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.5% | 1,093 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.7% | 844 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.3% | 727 |
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 | 2,555 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 989 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 899 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 844 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 748 |
| 6 | Wipers | 518 |
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 | 24.4% | 7,659 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.3% | 5,733 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.4% | 3,261 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.4% | 2,957 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 1,513 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 1,116 |
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 | 269 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,511 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 10,035 | 16.3% |
| 90-120k | 10,150 | 19.2% |
| 120-150k | 5,088 | 20.7% |
| 150k+ | 2,354 | 22.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 31,012 | 18.1% |
| Petrol | 403 | 13.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,272 | 16.7% |
| 2022 | 6,290 | 17.7% |
| 2023 | 6,392 | 18.9% |
| 2024 | 6,214 | 18.1% |
| 2025 | 6,247 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 XC60
On a 2013 XC60, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (8.5% 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 (6.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.3% 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 2013 Volvo XC60s pass their MOT?
82.0% of the 31,415 2013 Volvo XC60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Volvo XC60?
Suspension, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.2%).
Does the 2013 XC60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 22.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,415 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.