2015 Volvo XC60 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 74,342 MOT tests, the 2015 Volvo XC60 recorded an 84.6% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 15.8%, so the 2015 XC60 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.4%) and suspension (5.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, brake pads and tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 3,438 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.8% in the 0-30k band and 19.6% in the 150k+ band, a 11.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.4% | 3,983 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.0% | 3,696 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.9% | 3,625 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.4% | 2,541 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.0% | 1,489 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.9% | 1,444 |
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 | 3,438 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 2,255 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 2,242 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 1,579 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,428 |
| 6 | Wipers | 1,080 |
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 | 25.9% | 19,214 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.0% | 14,137 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.6% | 6,370 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.7% | 5,005 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 3,165 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 2,469 |
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 | 1,697 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 18,193 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 29,433 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 16,764 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 6,014 | 20.0% |
| 150k+ | 2,206 | 19.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 74,216 | 15.4% |
| Petrol | 126 | 11.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,401 | 11.9% |
| 2022 | 14,697 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 15,030 | 16.3% |
| 2024 | 15,025 | 16.7% |
| 2025 | 15,189 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2015 XC60
On a 2015 XC60, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.0% 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.
- Tyres (4.9% 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 2015 Volvo XC60s pass their MOT?
84.6% of the 74,342 2015 Volvo XC60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Volvo XC60?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by suspension (5.0%).
Does the 2015 XC60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 19.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 74,342 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.